This is a major initiative to review leadership in the police service in England and Wales and make recommendations to the Home Secretary for modernisation and change. It will take place over a six-month period, reporting to the Home Secretary in May 2026.
The Police Leadership Commission is being led by Lord Blunkett and Lord Herbert of South Downs. It is a timely opportunity to consider the impact of work to strengthen police leadership over the last decade and provide a look forwards, to determine what needs to be done differently to nurture the police leaders of tomorrow. The Commission will consider what skills and capabilities are needed in police leaders of all ranks to ensure that they can perform and deliver effectively. It will:
- draw on the best evidence of successful leadership development in the public and private sectors, and internationally
- review current training regimes
- consider how the performance of officers and staff is appraised
The Commission will examine the current entry routes into policing and will consider potential alternative models to attract, fast-track and develop the brightest talent. It will also review the impact of police reforms to date, the level of investment in leadership development, and the balance between national and local programmes.
As a member of the review reference group I will bring evidence and insight to the work of the commission, acting as a critical friend and a docking-point into the wider academic research on modes of leadership and reform across the public sector. I will therefore
- Provide advice and commentary to the Commission on an ongoing basis. This may include contributing at Commission roundtables when relevant.
- Where relevant, represent the views of different stakeholders to the Commission.
- Provide feedback on topics raised and proposals made by the Commission. Challenging assumptions and proposals, where appropriate.
- Provide support, as required, in the development of review recommendations.
Respond to general requests for advice / expertise from the Commission.
"Although I am not a specialist in policing, in recent years I have led two national reviews on scientific leadership for the ESRC. These have involved looking at leadership in different sectors and different countries, as well as exploring recent innovations in recruitment and development, it is because of this breadth of knowledge that I have been appointed to the reference group"
"I'm delighted to be able to support the Police Leadership Commission and to demonstrate the University of Sheffield's outstanding reputation as a source of theoretically-informed but policy-relevant research."