The Home Affairs Committee has launched a new inquiry into
policing priorities in England and Wales.
Public confidence in policing has been severely damaged in recent
years. Serving officers have been involved in high-profile
disciplinary and criminal cases, including sexual offences and
murder. Detection and charging rates have fallen, and there are
serious concerns around the treatment of women and people from
minority communities. Six police force are currently in special
measures as a result of poor performance.
The inquiry will examine what a modern police service should look
like. It will investigate how they can better meet the demands
currently placed on them and adapt to meet future need. The
inquiry will also examine what can be done to rebuild public
trust and ensure the highest standards amongst police officers.
Terms of reference
The Home Affairs Committee welcomes written submission on the
following questions. More information on how to submit evidence is
available here. The deadline for submissions is noon
on 24 October 2022.
- What a modern police service, fit for the 2020s and beyond,
looks like;
- What balance police forces in England and Wales should strike
between a focus on preventing and solving crime and carrying out
their other functions;
- What roles police forces should prioritise;
- What can be done to improve community policing and increase
trust in police officers and forces, including on funding and on
disciplinary powers when police officer behaviour falls below
required standards;
- Specifically, what the Metropolitan Police must do to
increase trust under its new Commissioner; and
- What steps can be taken to improve national conviction rates,
including via relationships with other bodies such as the Crown
Prosecution Service.
