Statement on the future of ACPO

The vote follows a three week long ballot of ACPO members on proposals drawn up in response to recommendations made by General Sir Nick Parker’s review of ACPO. Drawn up by a group of chief officers, the plans set out the key functions of the coordinating body and the intention that it will be independent but hosted within a police force.

64 per cent of chief officers voted. Of these, 93.5 per cent voted in favour of the new body’s form and function and 85 per cent voted in favour of the new body being housed within, but independent of, a host force.

The implementation group will now work with this clear mandate on developing a legal structure, operating model, secretariat structure, process for a chief constable to be selected as an independent leader, organisation name and future funding. The outcome of the ballot and next steps will be discussed at Chief Constables Council on July 17 – 18 when there will be a further opportunity to consider and debate the issues. ACPO will continue to provide national coordination and leadership until the new body is constituted.

The coordinating body will help police cut crime and keep the public safe, by joining up the operational response to the most serious and strategic threats. Focussing on operational delivery and developing national approaches on issues such as finance, technology and human resources, it will work closely with the College of Policing, which is responsible for developing professional standards.

ACPO’s core role of bringing together the expertise of police leadership to coordinate operational policing and agree national approaches in the public interest will be transferred into the body. The aim is to develop a modernised and improved coordinating body that will be sustainable and effective in supporting policing in delivering at the national level for the public.

The functions of the coordinating body are to be:

• Co-ordination of national operations including defining, monitoring and testing force contributions to the Strategic Policing Requirement.
• Command of counter terrorism operations and delivery of counter terrorist policing through the national network as set out in the S22A agreement.
• Co-ordination of the national police response to national emergencies and the mobilisation of resources across force borders and internationally.
• National operational implementation of standards and policy as set by the College of Policing and Government.
• Working with the College, development of joint national approaches on criminal justice, value for money, service transformation, information management, performance management and technology.
• Working with the College (where appropriate), development of joint national approaches to staff and human resource issues (including misconduct and discipline) in line with Chief Constables’ responsibilities as employers.

Sir Hugh Orde, President of ACPO, said: “This is a very positive step and is to be welcomed.

“The police service needs its leaders to have a strong coordinating body to help ensure forces work together in the most efficient way possible to keep safe the citizens we serve.

“The change from our current arrangements to those which have been voted in today by police leaders will ensure that the expertise of our chief officers is couched in a body which provides not only the best service for our forces but the best service and value for the public.

“I look forward to working on the implementation of these plans.”

ENDS

For more information please contact:

ACPO Press Office
Association of Chief Police Officers
e: press.office@acpo.pnn.police.uk