A recent independent review has raised concerns about the quality of police leadership in England and Wales, highlighting shortcomings in training, management, and trust within the service. The Police Leadership Commission, chaired by Lord Blunkett and Lord Herbert, reported that leadership standards are not consistently high enough to meet public expectations and called for significant reforms.

The commission's findings suggest that the current system for selecting, developing, and supporting police leaders has been neglected for decades, resulting in fragmented and insufficient leadership structures. While acknowledging that there are examples of outstanding leadership within forces, the review emphasizes that these are exceptions rather than the norm.

Among the key issues identified is a troubling lack of trust between rank-and-file officers and their superiors. More than one in ten police constables and sergeants expressed a lack of confidence in their leaders, and over 20 percent of newly promoted sergeants and inspectors had not received formal leadership training even two years into their roles.

Lord Blunkett commented on the state of leadership, stating that the service is currently "not good enough" to deliver to public expectations. He also revealed that eight current or former chief constables are involved in disciplinary proceedings or awaiting outcomes related to leadership concerns.

The review calls for an urgent "reset" of the police leadership system to address these weaknesses. This includes improving how leaders are identified, trained, and supported to ensure they can effectively manage their teams and meet the challenges facing modern policing.

Overall, the commission’s report underscores the need for a more cohesive and robust leadership framework to restore confidence within police ranks and enhance service delivery to the public.