Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Accepted
The Programme has demonstrated the value of standardising recruitment practices across police forces.
Recommendation
The Programme has demonstrated the value of standardising recruitment practices across police forces. Our work has repeatedly highlighted the importance of collaboration between police forces and consistency in their approaches in improving value for money. The creation of the Programme has helped converge standards and approaches relating to recruitment and training across the 43 police forces in England and Wales. This included the adoption of a single online assessment process and a standardised vetting process to improve the consistency of decision making. This standardisation is welcome, and hints at what might be possible beyond the scope of the Programme. Recommendation: The Department and the NPCC should identify and pursue other opportunities for standardisation across policing (for example procurement and IT) to achieve better value for money while respecting operational autonomy. It should outline in its Treasury Minute response which other areas of policing have the potential to benefit from a more joined up approach across forces, and how and by when this could be achieved.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation and will undertake a review led by Sir Stephen House to improve the department’s understanding of effectiveness and productivity in policing.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. operational productivity in policing. This review will improve the department’s understanding of effectiveness and productivity in policing, identifying the barriers and the most efficient operating models. The review will also look at the scope for using new technology or streamlining processes and removing bureaucracy to drive efficiency and better outcomes. The review will be led by Sir Stephen House, supported by an advisory board including Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), the chief executive of the College of Policing and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC). Terms of reference will be published in due course, following agreement by the advisory board and Home Office. It is expected to report within 12 months and with interim findings in spring 2023. The Home Office is working with BlueLight Commercial Ltd, the Police Digital Service, and Forensic Capabilities Network to identify further opportunities for efficiencies and coordination across procurement. BlueLight Commercial are also working with the department to understand the different operating models used to provide corporate functions such as HR and finance across police forces, and the associated costs. A final report is due to be delivered to the Efficiency in Policing Board by the end of 2022, aiming to share good practice and identify opportunities for shared services and other collaboration across the sector.