Re-interview police for jobs every five years, says review

The Police Foundation Think Tank conducted a two-year review of policing in England and Wales and they claim public trust has been seriously destroyed following recent scandals. The foundation recommended that all police officers should be re-interviewed for their jobs every five years, to find those who are unsuitable to serve.

Chaired by Sir Michael Barber, the strategic review warns that the very principle of policing by consent is under threat unless immediate cultural and structural change occurred. Claiming only 'root and branch reform' can repair the damage.

Sir Michael said: "There is a crisis of confidence in policing in this country which is corroding public trust. The reason is deep rooted and complex with a number cultural, and others systemic. Unless there is urgent change, they will destroy the principle of policing that has been at the heart of British policing for decades."

Aimed at restoring public confidence in policing, more than fifty recommendations were brought to light from the report. One recommendation highlighted was for a new license of practice to be introduced to all serving officers, issued by the Home Office. The license suggests it would need to be renewed every five years and would subject the officers to professional tests and an interview.

The foundation proposes a process that would allow the force to remove officers 'not up to the job' and highlight those who displayed 'inappropriate attitudes towards modern policing.' The report also highlighted that there is a need for more effort to improve ethnic diversity in the police force. They warned that at the current pace of change, it would take another '58 years' to achieve a police force that accurately stood for the population.

The report recommends major investment in front line policing, technology, and training. Sir Michael stated "Policing in this country is at a crossroads and it cannot stand still whilst the world changes so quickly around it. The warning signs if we do nothing, are flashing red. We ignore them at our peril."