Progression in the thematic areas of professional standards, counter corruption, ethics and vetting remain at the forefront of restoring greater public trust and confidence in policing after high profile incidents of misconduct and criminality in recent years.  In order to uphold the highest standards in policing, so as to both protect the communities we serve and ensure there is a safe working environment for those who serve in policing, further reform to the discipline and vetting regimes has been necessary and indeed yet more change is required.  That change will see further amendments to legislation for increased accountability, whilst delivering a more ‘procedurally just’ complaints and misconduct system. 

Alongside such ongoing legislative reform, the police service continues to embed a revised Code of Ethics and supporting Code of Practice, placing the service in a leading position given the new Government’s intention to enact primary legislation that will impose a statutory duty of candour on all public servants and authorities. 

With the professional standards sector adept in continuous service improvement, embracing such novel reforms is not only allowing policing to deliver against the Angiolini Part 1 Inquiry recommendations, but it will place the service in an advantageous position in its response to the findings of Part 2, with Lady Elish examining aspects of police culture that has enabled misogynistic and predatory attitudes and behaviours.  We will continue, unabated, to have resolute focus on those attitudes and behaviours to ensure we eradicate from the police service those who do not meet the high standards expected, and are not fit to serve. 

This year’s annual conference will focus on culture, candour and accountability as three central pillars to further sharpen the complaints and discipline system, proactively identify and handle corruption, fortify the vetting regime and allow a virtuous ethical culture to root and grow within policing.

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