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Police in England, Wales must obtain licence to continue working
(MENAFN) The Home Office has announced that all police officers in England and Wales will need a licence to continue working, under a new programme designed to ensure officers maintain up-to-date skills.
The phased scheme will require officers to demonstrate expertise in areas such as tackling violence against women and girls. Failure to meet these standards could result in removal from their positions. The system is similar to professional licensing schemes already in place for doctors and lawyers.
Some senior figures in policing have raised concerns that the programme could be “expensive” and “time-consuming,” potentially undermining existing vetting processes.
In addition, new proposals announced on Friday would grant ministers the power to dismiss chief constables and intervene in police forces deemed to be underperforming. These changes are part of what Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has described as the most significant shake-up of policing in decades.
Officers will be required to renew their ‘licence to practise’ throughout their careers, keeping current with the latest guidance and methods. Training will be introduced in phases, with the aim of creating a standardised system across all 43 police forces in England and Wales.
“Every police officer needs to remain match fit to protect their communities. As crime evolves, we expect police to evolve more quickly,” said Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones. “The licence to practise will equip every officer with the skills and capabilities to do the job – whether new to the force or a policing veteran.”
However, Matt Cane, general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, warned that the licence could become “an expensive, time-consuming, tick-box exercise.” He added that training is “already inadequate” and noted that officers already undergo vetting and carry warrant cards to practice their duties.
The Home Office confirmed last week that the home secretary will also be granted new powers to remove police chiefs as part of the reform programme.
The phased scheme will require officers to demonstrate expertise in areas such as tackling violence against women and girls. Failure to meet these standards could result in removal from their positions. The system is similar to professional licensing schemes already in place for doctors and lawyers.
Some senior figures in policing have raised concerns that the programme could be “expensive” and “time-consuming,” potentially undermining existing vetting processes.
In addition, new proposals announced on Friday would grant ministers the power to dismiss chief constables and intervene in police forces deemed to be underperforming. These changes are part of what Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has described as the most significant shake-up of policing in decades.
Officers will be required to renew their ‘licence to practise’ throughout their careers, keeping current with the latest guidance and methods. Training will be introduced in phases, with the aim of creating a standardised system across all 43 police forces in England and Wales.
“Every police officer needs to remain match fit to protect their communities. As crime evolves, we expect police to evolve more quickly,” said Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones. “The licence to practise will equip every officer with the skills and capabilities to do the job – whether new to the force or a policing veteran.”
However, Matt Cane, general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, warned that the licence could become “an expensive, time-consuming, tick-box exercise.” He added that training is “already inadequate” and noted that officers already undergo vetting and carry warrant cards to practice their duties.
The Home Office confirmed last week that the home secretary will also be granted new powers to remove police chiefs as part of the reform programme.
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