Praise for College of Policing

On the first anniversary of the elections of police and crime commissioners, police commissioners on the Board of the College of Policing have hailed the work of the College in helping to build confidence in policing.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, Katy Bourne, said: “As a director on the Board of the College of Policing I am pleased to play a part in overseeing the work of the College in shaping training and development for the police service in the future.

“During my first year as an elected PCC, the board has tackled a number of challenging topics not least the issue of police integrity, and I welcome the current consultation that asks the public, police officers and police staff for their views on the first Code of Ethics for policing in England and Wales. “The College has been established to set and maintain high professional standards in policing. Increasing public confidence is a key priority within my Police and Crime Plan ‘Safer in Sussex’ and trust in the police will play a big part in helping me to achieve this.”

Police and Crime Commissioner for Kent, Ann Barnes, said: “I’m very honoured to be on the Board and I’m really looking forward to the time when there is a Royal Charter, so the College can be become a ‘Royal College’. It’s so important that the public has trust in police officers and police staff, at the end of the day it’s all about providing a professional service to local communities.

“The work carried out by the College was long overdue in the policing world and at least now we have an organisation that is spelling out the standards we all expect as taxpayers. The College’s work can only enhance the trust people have in their local Force and that’s what is fundamentally so important.”

Chair of the College of Policing, Professor Shirley Pearce, added: “The College of Policing is for all in policing and acts in the public interest. It is important that this is reflected in our Board of Directors. Ann Barnes, Katy Bourne and Bob Jones bring to the Board a wide range of perspectives, knowledge and experience and the views of their communities.

This adds real value and depth to the College’s work and its strategic direction. I am very grateful for the contribution and commitment they bring to the Board as Directors and value the relationship the College is building with police and crime commissioners across the country.”