A landmark independent review has warned that police leadership in England and Wales is not consistently of a high enough standard and requires a fundamental overhaul. The report, published Monday by the Police Leadership Commission, found that the system for identifying and developing leaders is too weak, often resulting in only a single suitable candidate applying for chief constable roles.
The commission, co-chaired by former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett and former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert, was established in October 2025 amid declining public confidence in the service and increased scrutiny of its culture. The report’s findings are based on evidence from a survey of nearly 2,000 sergeants and inspectors, expert discussions, and over 400 public submissions.
Key issues identified include a scarcity of resources, excessive paperwork, and officers feeling demotivated by leadership cultures that are perceived as negative and overly risk-averse. The review also pointed to low morale and motivation within the service, recommending significant reforms to recruitment and promotion processes.
Policing minister Sarah Jones stated that the recommendations would inform the government's agenda for police reform, aiming to strengthen leadership, raise standards, and restore public confidence. Lord Blunkett, ahead of the report's release, described the need for an "ethical reset" within the service, noting that a number of senior officers have faced internal investigations. Currently, eight former or serving chief constables are under disciplinary action or awaiting results, out of 43 forces in England and Wales.
The commission highlighted a lack of leadership support for frontline officers, nearly a third of whom have less than five years of experience. Concerns were also raised about a postcode lottery system for promotions, with some officers reporting nepotism and favouritism, alongside limited investment in leadership development.
While the report acknowledged outstanding examples of leadership that have improved public service delivery, it also uncovered "extraordinarily worrying evidence requiring profound change." Recommendations include restoring central funding for police leadership development to levels seen in other public services, such as the NHS.
Further proposals include the creation of a new senior constable rank to recognize and reward experienced frontline officers who mentor colleagues. The report also calls for nationally accredited training for new constables and a new sergeant qualification to replace an outdated exam, which fewer than half of candidates currently pass. The commission emphasized the need for "urgent action to build a credible pipeline of future chief constables."
To ensure consistent, high-quality development across all forces and support a stronger candidate pipeline, the commission recommended establishing a National Academy of Police Leadership. Sir Andy Marsh, chief executive at the College of Policing, described the report as "the most comprehensive examination of police leadership in a generation" and pledged to invest in officers and staff to enable them to focus on protecting the public and apprehending criminals.
Inspection data reveals that none of the 43 police forces in England and Wales were graded "outstanding" for leadership in the most recent round. Almost a third required improvement, and two were rated as inadequate. The Home Office indicated it would consider the commission's recommendations and release a government response in the autumn, with Minister Sarah Jones acknowledging the significant challenges facing leaders and the instances where leadership has fallen short of public and officer expectations.