Police reform must listen to the people behind the uniform
10 November 2026
West Mercia Police Federation has warned that while policing reform is necessary, changes must not be imposed from the top without meaningful consultation with frontline officers and their representatives.
The comments follow a speech by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley in Manchester, in which he warned that policing in England and Wales was heading towards failure without urgent reform.
Cutting the number of forces
Sir Mark has proposed replacing the existing 43 police forces with between eight and ten larger regional forces, supported by local policing commands and a new National Police Service.
And while West Mercia Police Federation chair Gareth Spreadbury agrees that reform is needed, he has questioned the lack of detail surrounding the proposals and the extent to which frontline officers are being involved in shaping the future of the service.
Gareth said: "I have concerns that, while reform is needed and there is widespread agreement that it is necessary, there appears to be little substance or detail behind the proposals.
"Decisions yet again appear to be being made by people at the top, without sufficient input from the people below who will ultimately have to deliver them.
"Questions raised need to be answered before any changes are made, and there needs to be meaningful consultation with the Federation and the people we represent."
Human impact must be considered
Gareth also warned against treating police reform as simply an exercise in changing organisational structures and force boundaries.
He believes the human impact of such significant changes is at risk of being overlooked, with officers expected to adapt to new arrangements without sufficient consideration of their individual circumstances, welfare and professional experience.
He said: "I worry that yet again we are not recognising the human beings and people behind the uniform.
"People cannot simply be restructured to suit a purpose. We are talking about individuals, their careers, their families and their livelihoods, as well as the communities they serve.
"Reform is not just about changing 43 police forces into eight. It needs to be about much more than that."
Wider picture must be addressed
Gareth believes the debate must extend beyond the proposed restructuring of forces and address policing leadership more broadly.
He pointed to the importance of the leadership issues raised in Lord Blunkett's report, arguing that any programme of meaningful reform must include an honest examination of leadership, accountability and how the service is managed.
He said those advocating fundamental changes to policing must also be prepared to examine their own leadership and consider what they need to do differently.
"Those calling for these reforms should also be looking at their own leadership, and what and how they will change to create meaningful reform,” he continued.
"We cannot simply restructure the organisation and expect everything else to improve. If we genuinely want to transform policing, leadership must be part of that conversation."
The national Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has published five tests that proposed reforms must meet, covering leadership and structure, funding and resourcing, workplace safety and fairness, tools and systems, and public confidence and legitimacy.
Engagement before anything else
West Mercia Police Federation believes these questions must form the basis of meaningful engagement before decisions are made.
Gareth ended by reassuring members that the Federation will continue to represent their interests and ensure their voices are heard throughout the reform process.
He said: "Our members are the people who deliver policing every day. Their experience, welfare and professional knowledge must be central to any decisions about the future of the service.
"We will continue to challenge proposals where necessary and make sure that our members are not simply expected to accept changes, but are properly listened to and involved in shaping them.
"Reform must be about improving policing for our officers and the public, not simply changing the structure at the top."
