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Police Leadership Commission Report

Police Leadership Commission Report

An independent review by the Police Leadership Commission has concluded that police leadership across England and Wales falls short of the consistently high standards the public and officers deserve, calling for a fundamental modernisation of how leaders are recruited, trained and promoted.

Titled Professionalism and performance – police leadership for the future, the report was published on the 6th July 2026 by the College of Policing.

The report was commissioned in October 2025 with Home Office support, and represents the most comprehensive examination of police leadership in England and Wales in a generation.

Key Findings

The report paints a concerning picture of inconsistent leadership standards. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary, Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded no force as “outstanding” for leadership, with nearly a third requiring improvement and two deemed inadequate.

Police leadership is not consistently of a high enough standard and requires a fundamental overhaul, a landmark independent review has warned.

The report by the Police Leadership Commission, published on Monday, found the system for identifying and developing leaders was too weak, with chief constable roles in England and Wales often attracting a single suitable candidate.

Police leadership needs fundamental overhaul, review finds – BBC

Frontline pressures are acute as almost a third of officers have fewer than five years’ experience, morale is low, and many cite resource shortages, excessive bureaucracy and risk-averse cultures that leave staff unsupported. Eight former or serving chief constables are currently subject to disciplinary investigations or awaiting outcomes.

Public confidence has also declined, with only 49% rating their local police as good or excellent in 2025, compared with 62% a decade earlier.

Central funding for leadership development currently accounts for just 0.02% of the overall police budget which is significantly lower than in other public services such as the NHS or the military.

Core Recommendations

The commission sets out 27 recommendations designed to reset the culture, raise standards and prepare policing for future challenges. Key proposals include:

  • Establishing a National Academy of Police Leadership with a dedicated centre, digital platform and nationwide presence to deliver consistent, high-quality training.
  • Introducing a new senior constable rank to recognise and reward experienced frontline officers who mentor colleagues and uphold standards.
  • Creating a police leadership fast stream open to both internal talent and external candidates, with the aim of developing up to 400 future leaders a year towards superintendent level.
  • Overhauling promotion processes to sergeant and inspector ranks, replacing the outdated examination with nationally accredited training and fairer, more transparent selection.
  • Introducing mandatory annual performance reviews supported by digital professional passports, alongside routine secondments, targeted direct entry from other sectors, and equal development opportunities for police staff.

The complete list of recommendations presented in the police leadership commission report is published on the College of Policing Website.

The full report Professionalism and performance – police leadership for the future is also published on the College of Policing Website.

Reactions and Next Steps

Policing Minister Sarah Jones welcomed the findings, stating that the recommendations would inform the government’s broader police reform programme. She acknowledged that too many examples of leadership have failed to meet expected standards and emphasised the need for consistent, high-quality training and development for every officer.

Lord Blunkett highlighted the importance of an “ethical reset”, while Sir Andy Marsh, Chief Executive of the College of Policing, described the report as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest properly in the service’s people.

A Path Forward

The proposals align closely with the government’s white paper on police reform – From Local to National: A New Model for Policing and aim to create a more professional, ethical and inclusive leadership culture capable of tackling modern threats such as online crime and technological change.

While the report celebrates pockets of outstanding leadership, it makes clear that systemic weaknesses must be addressed if trust and effectiveness are to be rebuilt. Coordinated implementation by the Home Office, College of Policing and forces will be essential in the months ahead.

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[post_title] was last updated on the 6th July 2026

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