Former Home Secretary Lord Blunkett has stated that the police service in England and Wales requires an urgent ethical reset, asserting that current standards are insufficient. Speaking ahead of a forthcoming report on police leadership, Blunkett noted that the findings reveal deep-seated issues regarding culture, morale, and executive management.
The upcoming report, co-authored by Lord Blunkett and former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert for the College of Policing, advocates for a comprehensive modernization of recruitment and monitoring processes. This review was initiated to address evolving security threats and declining public trust, as recent inspections showed that none of the 43 forces in the region were deemed outstanding, with several marked as inadequate.
Blunkett highlighted that a concerning number of senior figures are currently facing disciplinary action. He emphasized that the service is burdened by excessive bureaucracy and a culture that discourages risk-taking. Regarding debates over two-tier policing, Blunkett argued that the institution should avoid engaging in culture wars, focusing instead on impartial delivery of justice rather than political positioning.
