Police Reform White Paper: Power Shift Explained

Is the new police reform white paper genuine reform – or a quiet constitutional revolution in British policing?

Bernard Rix talks to former ACC and Policing Insight contributor Ian Wiggett the morning after the UK Government’s From Local to National white paper lands. Drawing on decades of senior experience, Ian unpacks what the proposals really mean: a new National Police Service, force mergers, the end of PCCs. The speakers express concerns about the shift in governance and accountability, the potential challenges of implementing these reforms, and the introduction of a license to practice for police officers.

If you want a clear, early breakdown of what’s at stake for chiefs, officers and the public, this is a must-watch.

Keywords
police reform, UK policing, national police service, police and crime commissioners, force mergers, public safety, policing insights, governance changes, license to practice

Takeaways
White paper signals a major constitutional shift in policing
Power moves “from local to national” in reality, not just title
New National Police Service creates a single “supreme commander” role
Home Secretary gains unprecedented ability to direct policing
Force mergers back on the table, with a summer review
PCCs to be abolished and replaced by local policing boards
“And crime” and victim focus risk being sidelined
Licence to practise could add bureaucracy without fixing culture

Sound bites
"This is a major constitutional change."
"There's a huge body being created."
“From local to national isn’t just a slogan.”
“We’re creating a supreme commander of British policing.”
“Organised crime is still a local problem.”
“It’s all enforcement – victims barely get a mention.”
“We have the skeleton, not the flesh.”

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Police Reform White Paper
03:09 Key Themes and Constitutional Changes
05:59 The Role of the National Police Service
08:57 Force Mergers and Governance Changes
11:56 Police and Crime Commissioners: The Shift in Power
15:09 The Concept of License to Practice
18:11 Concerns and Future Implications

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