Home Secretary wants to maintain status quo after HMICFRS recommends ‘significant’ new power

James Cleverly MP, the Home Secretary, has published a response to the State of Policing 2022 report, in which His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) outlined a number of recommendations designed to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces in England and Wales.

The Home Secretary began his letter by pointing out that ‘legislative change in this Parliament is not a possibility,’ however, collaborative sector working could address many of the issues raised in the HMICFRS report.

‘Significant new power’

One HMICFRS recommendation was for the inspectorate to be provided with new powers ‘to give directions in relation to a police force in cases where an inspection identifies a failing that poses a significant risk to public safety.’ The Home Secretary responded by saying this would represent ‘a significant new power’ and that the inspectorate should continue to raise any concerns it has at regular bi-lateral meetings scheduled between the parties.

In relation to an HMICFRS recommendation that the inspectorate should be able to direct resources in support of failing forces, the Home Secretary said some forces have shown that they can instigate change without more support from the wider policing system. However, he added that a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Police Performance Oversight Group (PPOG) attendees would help to better define what support sector partners could offer to forces in ‘Engage’.

Another of the HMICFRS recommendations was to re-establish the involvement of the Inspectors of Constabulary in the selection and appointment of police chief officers. Responding, the Home Secretary said HMIs ‘have a wealth of knowledge about force performance and what works,’ which can be invaluable for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) when they appoint Chief Constables.

The Home Secretary concluded his letter by thanking HMICFRS for ‘the significant steps’ it has made in ‘agreeing actions to improve the grip on police performance.’

Read the Home Secretary’s full letter here.

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