Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Fifteenth Report - The Police Uplift Programme
Public Accounts Committee
HC 261
Published 22 July 2022
Conclusions (4)
13
Conclusion
Acknowledged
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 …
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.
16
Conclusion
Acknowledged
The NAO reported that experienced police tutor constables (who supervise new officers for periods of their training) had shared concerns about the extra effort this role required in addition to their normal duties, and this was echoed by staff from police training teams. The National Audit Office’s survey of chief …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges concerns about supporting experienced police tutor constables and is working with the NPCC and College of Policing to improve support, including developing materials and guidance, ensuring recognition and reward, reviewing training, and monitoring wellbeing.
21
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We asked the Department how it was confident that these changes in approach, particularly the online assessment process, were ensuring police forces were recruiting the right people and avoiding the recurrence of historic issues. The Department told us that the majority of forces hold virtual interviews as part of the …
Government Response Summary
The government states forces are responsible for ensuring new recruits meet required standards, and the College of Policing continually monitors and evaluates the online assessment process. They continue to work with forces to improve the process and have commissioned research to evaluate the impact of the new recruitment process on the diversity of police forces.
27
Conclusion
Acknowledged
We asked the Department whether it was concerned about retaining new officers. The Department acknowledged that if increasing numbers of officers left the service, this would in turn increase the number of new officers the Programme would need to recruit. The Department told us that it was losing around 9% …
Government Response Summary
The government recognizes retaining new officers is essential and is working with forces to understand reasons for leaving and develop strategies to improve retention rates, including improving support, reviewing training, and ensuring challenging and rewarding roles.