Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 13
13
Acknowledged
The government’s decision to recruit an unprecedented number of new police officers over a relatively...
Conclusion
The government’s decision to recruit an unprecedented number of new police officers over a relatively short period of time impacted on the implementation of a fundamental reform of how police officers are trained and developed. From 2016 onwards, police forces began to adopt the new Police Education and Qualifications Framework (PEQF), as mandated by the College of Policing. This new approach requires prospective police officers to either hold a qualification equivalent to a university degree or to earn an equivalent qualification through study during their first three years of service.20
Government Response Summary
The government agreed to the recommendation that the College of Policing should review the impact of the Police Education and Qualifications Framework and publish the results by Spring 2024.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
3. PAC conclusion: We are not yet convinced that the new training routes introduced by the College of Policing best meet the needs of police forces. 3. PAC recommendation: The College of Policing should review the impact of the Police Education and Qualifications Framework to ensure it meets the needs of both new police officers and their forces. It should outline when it will publish the results of this assessment in the Treasury Minute response. 3.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Spring 2024 3.2 The College of Policing committed to evaluating the Policing Education Qualifications Framework for new entry routes at the point they were introduced to ensure that they meet the needs of both new officers and forces. 3.3 The evaluation commenced in 2018 and a final report is expected by Spring 2024 to ensure that the first cohort of recruits can be followed through to completion of the programme and into their first year as confirmed police constables. The evaluation is exploring officers’ experiences, including wellbeing, perceptions of the new entry routes, as well as views from forces and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Early findings from the evaluation were published in May 2020 and a follow-up report is planned for publication in early 2023.