Police and Crime Commissioners welcome new plans to coordinate chief police officers
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) have welcomed Chief Officers’ decision to support new arrangements to replace the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).
ACPO was established in 1948 to bring together the expertise and experience of chief police officers from the United Kingdom, providing a professional forum to share ideas and best practice, coordinate resources and help deliver effective policing which keeps the public safe. ACPO has been funded by PCCs since 2012.
The decision by Chief Officers to support the proposals comes following an independent review instigated by PCCs in September last year. General Sir Nick Parker was commissioned to look at the effectiveness and value for money of ACPO and how chief police officers could best collaborate nationally in the new policing environment of PCC governance, the College of Policing and the National Crime Agency. It recommended a number of changes with a focus on command and leadership of the police service and the need to speak with a coordinated and independent voice on the delivery of operational policing. The report also suggested a new body could be hosted by a police force rather than being a limited company . The principles of the Review were endorsed by Police and Crime Commissioners and Chief Constables with a joint Implementation Board being established to progress the change. Members of ACPO were balloted on the future functions and structure of the new body and the results have been announced today.
Chief Officers voted in favour of the following key recommendations in relation to the new national body:
The co-ordinating body will enable operationally independent and locally accountable Chief Constables to co-ordinate the work of the police service in order to protect the public. The body will have the following functions.
- Co-ordination of national operations including defining, monitoring and testing force contributions to the Strategic Policing Requirement.
- Command of counter terrorism operations and delivery of counter terrorist policing through the national network.
- Co-ordination of the national police response to national emergencies and the mobilisation of resources across force borders and internationally.
- National operational implementation of standards and policy as set by the College of Policing and Government.
- Working with the College on the development of joint national approaches to criminal justice, value for money, service transformation, information management, performance management and technology.
- Working with the College (where appropriate) on the development of joint national approaches to staff and human resource issues (including misconduct and discipline) in line with Chief Constable’s responsibilities as employers.
This co-ordinating body will be hosted by a police force.
Police and Crime Commissioners who sit on the ACPO Review Implementation Board said:
“This has been a complex process but we are delighted that Chief Officers have embraced change in a pragmatic and professional way. The changes will lead to a more open and transparent organisation which is simpler and more focused on the core business of excellent policing in changing times.”
Sir Bill Jeffrey, Chairman of the ACPO Review Implementation Board, said:
“I very much welcome this clear mandate for change from Chief Officers. It means that ACPO will cease as a company limited by guarantee in April 2015 and that it should be replaced by a new representative body focused on key operational policing matters. A host force will facilitate a new body, independently chaired, to take over the co-ordination of ACPO’s national responsibilities, which include counter-terrorism operations and the mobilisation of police resources during national emergencies. The Review Board will now ensure the transition of functions and responsibilities to a new representative body and will aim for a completion date of April 2015.”
ENDS
Notes for editors
1. For interviews / further information please contact Joel Charles, APCC Communications Manager, on 07703 124 174 or Nicola Growcott, ACPO Press Office, on 0207 084 8946.
2. Members of the ACPO Review Implementation Board:
Sir Bill Jeffrey, Independent Chairman
Jane Kennedy, PCC, Merseyside
Matthew Ellis, PCC, Staffordshire
Martyn Underhill, PCC, Dorset
Rebecca Lawrence, Director of Strategy, MOPAC
Alex Marshall, Chief Executive, College of Policing
David Lamberti, Director, Home Office
Mike Cunningham, Chief Constable, Staffordshire
Debbie Simpson, Chief Constable, Dorset
Helen Ball, Deputy Assistant Commissioner, Metropolitan Police Services
Tania Eagle, APCC Interim Chief Executive and Secretary to the Implementation Board
3. Objectives of the Implementation Board:
- Develop and oversee the implementation of a Programme Plan reflecting the recommendations of the ACPO Review, and any other activity that arises as an implication of the recommendations;
- Review options for implementation and make decisions on appropriate course of action;
- Have regard to the wider national policing landscape to ensure that any changes arising from implementation take place within the wider police reform context;
- Identify and review any risks emerging from implementation, including alignment with other national reforms, potential consequences and impact of change, impact on value for money, reputation, public confidence and the legislative framework;
- Ensure all relevant stakeholders are kept informed of progress, and consulted where appropriate; and
- Make decisions on the expenditure of a £600,000 transitional grant that has been made available to the Board to ensure the recommendations are implemented effectively.
4. General Sir Nick Parker’s independent review of ACPO is here.