Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Fifth Report - Policing priorities
Home Affairs Committee
HC 635
Published 10 November 2023
Government response
Second Special Report - Policing priorities: Government Response to the Committee’s Fifth Report of 2022–23 · published 19 Jan 2024
Recommendations & Conclusions
22
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 59
Policing fails to adequately address internal complaints, victims, and survivors
Conclusion
If policing can’t get its approach to complainants, victims and survivors within the service right, it has little chance of doing so for others.
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the need to ensure police officers who are victims of police-perpetrated crime are afforded certain rights but rejected opening the public complaints system to them. They will explore opportunities to address this as part of the Dismissals Review.
Home Office
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55
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 138
Urgently review and update the Police Allocation Formula for effective force planning.
Conclusion
Multiple bodies are involved in setting the strategic direction of policing both locally and nationally. However, the Home Office must provide a strong “strategic centre” and take responsibility for providing policing with the resources it needs to succeed. As a …
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Government Response Summary
The government confirmed it is currently undertaking a review of the outdated Police Allocation Formula in consultation with the policing sector, and stated it provides strong strategic direction through existing plans.
Home Office
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62
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 163
Collaborate with DHSC to evaluate RCRP's wider impact on mental health outcomes and workforce wellbeing.
Recommendation
We recommend the Home Office also work with the Department of Health and Social Care to evaluate the impact of RCRP on wider outcomes, for example, for those in mental health crisis who might previously have been dealt with by …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepts in part, stating it is undertaking a joint evaluation of the Right Care, Right Person (RCRP) with DHSC, focusing on impacts on police time and health/social care implementation, with findings to be published in Spring 2024, though it doesn't explicitly mention all requested aspects like workload, wellbeing, safety, or readiness for remedial action.
Home Office
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79
Conclusion
Accepted in Part
Para 198
Continue investment in police leadership training, especially at sergeant level.
Conclusion
Policing must continue its investment in leadership, especially at sergeant level. These training elements should be embedded within the workforce plan we have recommended.
Government Response Summary
The government commits to continue supporting the College of Policing's work to improve leadership, including new programmes for front line supervisors and tutor constables, and forthcoming reforms to promotions to embed new leadership standards.
Home Office
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87
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 220
Expedite solutions for lengthy case file redaction processes, including piloting new approaches.
Recommendation
We recommend the Home Office expedite, with urgency, its work with the Attorney General’s Office and CPS to identify potential solutions to the lengthy and resource- intensive redaction process in case file preparation. This should include piloting a “redaction bubble”, …
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Government Response Summary
The Home Office is leading a Redaction Working Group, funding automated redaction products, and working to pilot a revised redaction process while exploring legislative options, including a “redaction bubble,” to address resource-intensive case file preparation.
Home Office
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88
Recommendation
Accepted in Part
Para 221
Launch a national strategy for digital forensics following budget and needs review.
Recommendation
We second HMICFRS’ recommendation that the Home Office lead a review of the digital forensics budget and identify where need is greatest. The review should encompass future funding needs at both force level and centrally. It should provide a basis …
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Government Response Summary
The Home Office, with the NPCC, launched a project in September 2022 to quantify digital forensics challenges and review budgets, which is informing the development of reform options in response to HMICFRS recommendations.
Home Office
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