Peter Neyroud to conduct leadership review

Peter Neyroud is to step down from running the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) to conduct a review of police leadership and training on behalf of the Government.

Mr Neyroud will hand over control of the agency he created in 2007 following a request by the coalition government to conduct a fundamental review of the way police leaders are developed.

As a consequence, the deputy chief executive, Deputy Chief Constable Nick Gargan, will take over the day-to-day running of the agency with immediate effect. In January, on the retirement of Mr Neyroud, Mr Gargan will take over the chief executive position until the agency is disbanded in 2012 under government proposals announced in July.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘’The Government has announced the greatest shake-up of policing in England and Wales for 50 years which intends to reconnect the police with the public. To help drive this work forward we have asked Mr Neyroud to undertake a fundamental review of leadership and training. This will include how, as part of its announced phasing out, the NPIA’s leadership functions can be transitioned effectively.

“This review will conclude in December 2010.”

The contract of the agency’s chairman, Peter Holland, has been extended until March 2012 to ensure continuity.