Response officers are the GPs of policing and need support

A week-long campaign to support officers dealing with the majority of 999 incidents has begun with a call for forces to change their perception of the people doing the job. Deputy Chief Constable for Merseyside, Serena Kennedy, said response officers need to be re-evaluated by colleagues and seen as multi-specialists… Response officers are the GPs of policing and forces need to enhance their support and reputation, says their national lead....

Priority housing to end Met brain drain, London mayor pledges

London’s mayor Sadiq Khan has announced plans to help new recruits and staff buy a home in the capital. They will be added to a list run by the Mayor’s office of essential London workers – also including NHS and firefighters – who will be given priority  access to buy… Plans to prioritise officers and staff for affordable homes could stem the brain drain from the Metropolitan Police....

Wellbeing takes priority for officers frazzled by COVID-19 response

A year of dealing with the impact of COVID-19 has left frazzled response officers and staff needing support with wellbeing. Forces across the country are stepping up initiatives including online resources to encourage officers to deal with issues like fatigue and find new ways to keep resilient. The National Police… Sleep advice, podcasts and even therapy dogs are being used in an NPCC campaign to highlight the wellbeing of response officers....

College urges frontline staff to consider research projects

The College of Policing has launched its sixth annual bursary scheme to enable officers considering further studies to access financial help. The launch coincided with International Women’s Day which included concerns being raised about the hurdles female officers have to overcome in order to achieve promotion. The scheme, which since… Officers struggling to balance finance commitments and promotion have been urged to apply for a bursary....

Merseyside PCC announces preferred candidate for next chief

DCC Kennedy will replace the current Chief Constable, Andy Cooke QPM, when he leaves the role next month to join Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services. DCC Kennedy, who joined from Cheshire Constabulary to Merseyside Police in 2017 as Assistant Chief Constable, will now go before… Merseyside’s PCC Jane Kennedy has today (8 March) announced the current Deputy Chief Constable, Serena Kennedy, is her preferred choice to be the next Chief Constable of Merseyside Police....

Leadership roles in focus for International Women's Day

A day of events promoting women in leadership roles and encouraging women to join up will be held by forces as part of the UN’s International Women’s Day. People taking part represent all ranks and specialist roles in the service. Director General of the National Crime Agency, Dame Lynne Owens, is… Forces across the country will be encouraging more women to take up senior roles as part of International Women’s Day....

New DCC for South Wales makes move from Northumbria

ACC Rachel Bacon’s appointment was confirmed this week and she will be taking up the post in the coming months. South Wales will be the fourth force she has served with. Chief Constable Jeremy Vaughan said: “As an experienced Assistant Chief Constable in Northumbria Police, who also leads nationally for… A Northumbria ACC is moving to South Wales to become the force’s new Deputy Chief Constable....

Entry requirements barrier to migrant recruitment, says Lincolnshire

Those wishing to join the police must hold a level 3 qualification (or higher) which is equivalent to two A Levels or possess a policing qualification. Lincolnshire Police, like many other forces, is pushing to take advantage of the uplift to diversify its workforce.  “The difficulty we have with that… Lincolnshire’s Uplift Project Manager, Detective Inspector Lee St Quinton, said policing entry requirements were a “key barrier” to recruiting from migrant communities....

Future leaders need new skills and be 'less risk-averse'

'Safe appointees' leading forces they have spent years with will be ill-equipped to meet future policing needs, according to policing experts. Delegates who joined the online Police Foundation annual conference heard from senior policing figures that the current recruitment and training for leaders won’t be enough to run the service… Chief constables will need a wider skillset to meet future challenges, senior leaders have warned....

Action needed to end 104% rise in resignations, experts warn

The Police Foundation’s annual conference was told there has been a 104% increase in officers quitting the service since 2015. Leavers told a study by the University of Portsmouth that their reasons included a lack leadership, not feeling valued, lack of career direction and lack of autonomy. Dr Sarah Charman,… Better leadership and support is needed to stem the tide of officers quitting, chiefs have been told....