Warning That Bigger Doesn't Always Mean Better When It Comes To Police Forces

3 December 2025

A restructure of police forces could put an end to the “unnecessary and painful bureaucracy” Kent officers endure, but “bigger does not necessarily mean better”, the force’s federation has warned.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has hinted that she could change how policing in England and Wales is organised after telling chiefs: “the structure of our police forces is, if we are honest, irrational".

Speaking afterwards, Neil Mennie, Kent Police Federation Chairman said: “There is no doubt room for improvement but bigger does not necessarily mean better and this will need a careful examination. It would be nice to have a single common fit for purpose IT system that actually works everywhere.

“Those of us who have had cause to visit and manage defendants in other custody suites will be only too aware of visiting another force area or agency that operates entirely different processes resulting in unnecessary painful bureaucracy.”

Neil said better use of public funds could be made for with changes to procurement, if a restructure could put an end to the “postcode lottery” of sourcing uniform, vehicles and police equipment.

“However it remains vital that the public are consulted as I suspect many appreciate the benefit of having a local force that is tailored to meet the varied geography and unique demands of the area in which they live.

The risk of trying to do more with less is certainly something that many are already dealing with and diluting it further will not help,” he added.

The Government is expected to publish a White Paper on the future of policing shortly.