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Lord Blunkett has expressed serious concerns about the police service in England and Wales, describing it as “not good enough” and calling for an “ethical reset” within its leadership. Speaking exclusively to the BBC ahead of a major report he co-authored, the former Labour home secretary highlighted significant issues related to leadership, morale, and culture throughout the police force. This upcoming report, set to be released on Monday, warns of “significant causes for concern” and advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of police leadership.
The report, created in collaboration with former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, suggests the need for a “root and branch modernisation” of recruitment practices, professional development, and oversight across the service. The College of Policing commissioned this extensive review to help ensure that the police are better prepared to address changing threats and achieve government objectives amid decreasing public trust in policing. Notably, none of the 43 police forces in England and Wales received an “outstanding” rating for leadership in the most recent inspections, with nearly a third requiring improvement and two deemed inadequate.
During an interview on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Lord Blunkett revealed troubling evidence uncovered during the review, highlighting that a considerable number of senior police officers are, or have been, subject to investigations. He noted, “I think at the moment, there are eight former or serving chief constables who are either under disciplinary action or awaiting the result,” out of the 43 police forces. He emphasized that such findings contribute to the urgent need for an ethical realignment within police leadership.
The report is also expected to address ongoing challenges, such as limited resources, an excessive administrative burden, and the demoralizing impact of risk-averse leadership cultures. When asked about concerns over “two-tier policing”—a term brought up by politicians to describe the notion that ethnic minorities might be treated more leniently than white people—Lord Blunkett acknowledged the perception surrounding this issue. Reflecting on the shift in attitudes since the 1999 Macpherson report, which exposed overt racism within policing, he stated, “We make it clear in the report that there’s no room for culture wars or woke. It isn’t the job of the police in our country to take sides of any sort. It’s the job of the police to deliver.
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