Police recruitment shake-up is revealed

A document put forwards on reforms points to fast-tracking police jobs

17:33 30 January 2013

The police force could be affected by reforms it has emerged on Wednesday. An announcement made means that jobs could become fast-tracked, as the police recruitment system faces a potential shake-up from the Government.

 

A main aspect which was revealed was fast-tracking police jobs. At present individuals who enter the force start at constable level and work for two years, whereas people joining the police could be fast-tracked in order to become inspectors in three years.

 

Also, new starters could end up going into the police as superintendents according to the shake-up.

 

The report also mentions having senior officers from abroad to manage police; a notion that has not been done before in England and Wales.

 

The idea is to improve the police force; with Police Minister Damian Green stating that it would be beneficial to the police if there was a larger base to choose from.

 

When speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme Mr. Green said: “Policing is largely successful in this country, crime is down 10per cent in the past two years.”

 

He added: “But there is no organisation in the world that cannot get better and it must be the case that if you widen the pool of talent, then you will get even better policing in this country."

 

There are fears from some about the effects the shake-up may have on police as well as members of the general public.

 

Chief Superintendent Derek Barnett, who is President of the Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales, told the BBC that if individuals were to become superintendents after 15 months' training there could be risks involved.

 

The proposed shake-up comes after years of discussion haven taken place concerning direct entry. It is understood that there is a direct entry system being operated when it comes to other forces such as the Army.