13 Sep 2023
Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn has today published his statutory response to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)’s Annual State of Policing Report that was published earlier this year.
In his first annual assessment of policing in England and Wales, Andy Cooke, who is His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said the police service is at a historic turning point and called for major reform, including new powers for the inspectors of constabulary.
The report acknowledges that police forces in England and Wales are complex and operate within an even more complex criminal justice system (CJS), and there are widespread systemic failings in both. The report states that:
- the police aren’t always focusing on the issues that matter most to the public, and charge rates are far too low;
- the police and the wider CJS aren’t getting the basics right, as shown through the withdrawal from neighbourhood policing; and
- some critical elements of the police’s leadership and workforce arrangements need substantial reform.
The report’s recommendations to the Government and chief constables, include:
- reviewing legislation to make HMICFRS’s remit of inspection clearer and clarifying its power to inspect policing functions delivered by police and crime commissioners;
- re-establishing the role of the inspectors of constabulary in selecting and appointing police chief officers; and
- new research into the deterrent value of stop and search and the causes of disproportionality in its use.
When he published the annual report earlier this year, Andy Cooke said;
“I was a police officer for 36 years before I took this job. I am in no doubt of the dedication, bravery and commitment of the vast majority of police officers and staff. But there are clear and systemic failings throughout the police service in England and Wales and, thanks to a series of dreadful scandals, public trust in the police is hanging by a thread.
“I am calling for substantial reform to give the inspectors of constabulary more power to ensure we are able to do everything necessary to help police forces improve. Over the years, we have repeatedly called for change. There are only so many times we can say the same thing in different words – it is now time for the Government to bring in new legislation to strengthen our recommendations.
“Change needs to start at the top. Chief constables and police and crime commissioners need to do more to make sure their forces are efficient and to get a grip on their priorities. The police are not there to be the first port of call for people in mental health crisis or to uphold social justice. They are there to uphold the law.
“Forces need to show professionalism, get the basics right when it comes to investigating crime, and respond properly when someone dials 999. This is what matters most to the communities they serve and this is the way forward for the police to regain the public’s trust. The fundamental principle of policing by consent, upon which our police service is built, is at risk – and it is past time to act.”
Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner has welcomed Andy Cooke’s report and recommendations, citing the positive work of Dyfed-Powys’s Professional Standards Department in relation to their vetting processes and decision making that has been highlighted by HMICFRS.
In his statutory response to the report, which has been published in full, PCC Llywelyn said:
“Whilst there have been falling rates of satisfaction across England and Wales, I am encouraged by the data from the September 2022 Crime Survey of England and Wales, which identifies that Dyfed-Powys Police compares favourably with other forces in terms of understanding local concerns, addressing local priorities and provision of overall service.
“Dyfed-Powys Police continues to work towards the recommendations and areas for improvement identified within the inspection of vetting, misconduct and misogyny in the police service.
“There is also merit in highlighting that our Professional Standards Department, like all others in England and Wales, was recently subject to the ‘rapid review’ that was commissioned by the Home Office in respect of the complaints and misconduct, anti-corruption and vetting business areas.
“The rapid review included a dip sample of anti-corruption intelligence cases, complaints and misconduct files. The HMICFRS Inspector was complimentary of the investigative approach taken in every case that was sampled, as well as the manner in which decisions were documented.
“I am pleased that HMICFRS has highlighted Dyfed-Powys Police vetting department as effectively dealing with disproportionality and mitigating risk in the decision process for vetting. Positive commentary was received in respect of the quality of the vetting decision making and the associated rationale documents, which referenced the Vetting Authorised Professional Practice, Code of Practice, Code of Ethics, Standards of Professional Behaviour and the National Decision Model. I have been advised that two other forces have been in contact with Dyfed-Powys to learn from their approach.
“In relation to the historic data wash, all relevant checks have been conducted on every staff member working within Dyfed-Powys Police. This includes police officers, police staff, volunteers and all staff within my office.
“I am grateful to Andy Cook for his annual report. My team and I continue to work closely with Dyfed-Powys Police representatives to ensure all relevant learning from insights generated through HMICFRS’ activity is acted upon to improve the policing service for the residents of Dyfed and Powys.”
ENDS
Additional information:
Link to Annual Report for State of Policing
Link to PCC Dafydd Llywelyn’s Statutory Response
Further information:
Head of Communications and Engagement
Gruffudd.ifan@dyfed-powys.police.uk
