This week the news outlets, and most of the social-media forums that I follow or participate in, have been rammed full of comment about the UK Government’s proposals for “urgent police reform” in England and Wales, because it’s reached its breaking point. I could begin by exploding with the “No Shit Sherlock” retort or even ask, “really, what woke you?” But I’ll make do with by saying, that as usual, most politicians are “a bit late to the party” and they clearly haven’t been watching and listening to the room. So, for now, I’ll bite my tongue again, temper my mostly buried disdain, and try at least to hear them out… Who knows, maybe this time?
On the 26th of January 2026 The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, heralded what is being lorded – by many politicians but fewer people from within policing – as the “largest reforms to policing since forces were professionalised 2 centuries ago.” That’s as it may be but, the publication of their policy document (White Paper) “From local to national: a new model for policing” could undoubtedly have profound impacts on the quality of service that we all receive from our police. But worryingly from my view, I can’t see how these proposed changes will result in the improvements that both the public and the police are desperately asking for.
The Government have set out a “comprehensive package of reforms to policing that aim to create police service that is more rooted in local communities and focused on their needs.” That immediately sounded promising, but my suspicious [copper’s] thoughts immediately kicked-in and advised me not to get too excited. A little voice of caution in my head immediately asked; “how many times have we fallen for government spin and the warm air of contrived party-political rhetoric before?” Too many times is the simple answer to that one.
So, as this latest raft of performance and structural measures unfold, are they really anything much more than another round of political soundbites? More ‘quick fix’ proposals designed to mitigate public angst amongst the electorate, challenging some (or all) of the endemic issues that impact policing today. Will people living within the diverse communities being policed actually start to receive a better service? Be more protected? Have their calls responded to, or not as is so often the case? Will they actually feel safer and better served? Certainly not within the shorter-term would be my conclusion.
I’m sorry about my scepticism but it comes from long-known facts, many of which still haven’t been addressed. Too many of the issues that currently impact police delivery – expected outcomes that are required by the public and which policing would also like to deliver – have come about because of three main factors; a) chronic underfunding, b) piecemeal tinkering, and often c), piss-poor leadership. Both from within and external (political) to that delivery process. So, again, forgive me for not immediately diving in to lap up the cream.
Although I am the eternal optimist, and I’m always able to accept what I can’t change, whether I like it or not; I, along with many others, have been banging the change and reform drums for decades. A factt that can be evidenced elsewhere on this site, going back almost as far as the turn of the millenium. However, many people who are far more erudite and knowledgeable than me have also offered solutions which have consistently been ignored. Therefore, I won’t even try to add to that process again here. I just can’t see how any of the latest “reform” proposals are going to repair all the lost faith that British policing once enjoyed. At least not any time soon. Because opportunities to do so have long been waisted, as emperors have fiddled whilst Rome has been engulfed in flames.
So many of the issues that underpin policing impacts are now so old – and become so endemic – that they’ve probably sprouted enough fungal growth by now to keep the most ardent mycologist occupied for years. Yet regardless of that fact, many from within policing constantly and consistently ‘shout’ about the community delivery issues. And we have been doing so for decades. But nearly all of those calls have often fallen on deaf ears. The problems didn’t dovetail with political narratives and leadership self-interest, until now, when they’ve started to bite politicians and police leaders in the arse. So, pardon me for all my scepticism, I will remain (so far) unconvinced that this latest “hot of the press” booklet of warm words will actually deliver, and I’m certainly not alone with my cynicism. You only have to look at the myriad of responses since the document was published. Way more questions than answers!
I saw a social-media comment this week which summarised the major problem being faced. I can’t recall who said it or where I saw it, but it said something along the lines of: “Sometimes the problem isn’t that crime is evolving. It’s the fact that policing has retreated from the places where it should be… on the front line.” That ‘frontline’ is where you will find the ‘experts’ with many of the answers to fix the problems, but (so far) they haven’t been consulted. At least not in any meaningful and productive manner. Politicians and police leaders would do well to remember… You reep what you sow!
Dave's Bankside Babble 