Five things to know about the review of police structures

The Home Office has published the terms of reference for the independent review of police structures which is part of the policing reform white paper. Here are five key things to know.

First, the review must report five months after being launched. Having already announced former Met Commissioner Lord Bernard Hogan Howe as the independent Chair, that may not count as a launch as the members of the advisory panel have not been confirmed. Either way, the Chair has to provide an interim report half way through – both go to the Home Secretary.

Second, the independent chair is to be supported by an ‘advisory panel.’ This is defined as those with ‘significant experience across issues relevant to policing, including but not limited to local policing bodies, victims’ services, public sector reform, criminal justice, and operational policing.’

Third, there is a huge list of stakeholders that need to be ‘engaged with.’ These include, the policing ‘system,’ local authority leaders, fire and rescue services, local resilience forums, Welsh Government, trade unions, victims organisations and academia.

Fourth, the scope of the work goes well beyond recommending the optimum number of police forces in England and Wales. It also includes consideration of Local Policing Areas, changes to governance (note PCCs will be abolished in May 2028), how to minimise disruption and not cost more than it does already.

And finally, the review will work out which forces could be ‘pathfinder mergers this Parliament.’ There is also a reminder that this restructure doesn’t include specialist police agencies such as the British Transport Police; it doesn’t include policing in Scotland and Northern Ireland or affect the move to the National Police Service (also part of the white paper reforms).

Read the Terms of Reference in full here – Independent review of police force structures: terms of reference.

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