Police leadership in England and Wales requires a "fundamental overhaul" and an "ethical reset" due to weaknesses in morale and culture, according to a new report co-authored by former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett.
The report, produced in collaboration with former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, identifies "significant causes for concern" across the service. It is set to recommend "root and branch modernisation" of recruitment, development, and monitoring practices.
Commissioned amid declining public confidence in policing, the review aimed to ensure the service could adapt to evolving threats and meet government targets. The College of Policing noted that none of the 43 police forces in England and Wales were rated "outstanding" for leadership in the latest inspection round, with nearly a third requiring improvement and two deemed inadequate.
Lord Blunkett told the BBC that evidence gathered for the review indicated a substantial number of senior officers either under investigation or facing disciplinary action. He noted that eight former or serving chief constables are currently subject to disciplinary action or awaiting results, out of 43 forces.
"All of that leads us to believe that a new ethical reset is required," Blunkett stated. The report is expected to detail challenges including resource scarcity, excessive bureaucracy, and officer demotivation stemming from overly risk-averse leadership cultures.
Addressing concerns about "two-tier policing," a term used by some politicians to suggest preferential treatment based on race, Lord Blunkett acknowledged a perception issue. He stated that the pendulum has swung from the findings of the 1999 Macpherson report, which highlighted systemic racism, to current debates around discussions of "woke" culture. The report emphasizes that police should remain neutral and focus on delivery, rather than engaging in culture wars.