Police leaders call for Royal Commission into criminal justice system
Police leaders are calling for a Royal Commission into England and Wales’ criminal justice system, warning that years of fragmented and underfunded services are undermining policing and public confidence.
Nick Smart, president of the Police Superintendents’ Association, will make the call today during the association’s annual conference, which is being attended by Policing Minister Sarah Jones.
He will urge the government to revive a commitment made in 2019 to establish a Royal Commission – something which has not happened and which would be the first such examination of the criminal justice system in more than 60 years.
Mr Smart is expected to say that the problems facing policing cannot be solved by reforming the police in isolation. “We do not police in isolation – and silo reform will not fix the systemic issues faced by all agencies within the criminal justice system,” he will say.
“UK policing is delivered by brilliant people who are committed to serving the public, but so often they are let down by the complex and underfunded criminal justice system around them.”
He will also attack the impact of the prison capacity crisis and the early release of prisoners, describing the scheme as “the most upsetting and lowest form of insult to every victim affected”.
Mr Smart will warn that such issues risk damaging public confidence in the justice system and will call for reform to cover all criminal justice partners.
His intervention comes as the government pursues a major programme of police reform, with Mr Smart criticising what he describes as slow engagement with workforce associations over the proposals. He will argue that police staff associations should be treated as “a critical stakeholder” in delivering change.
“Bring us in, let us support this reform. We can make it work,” he will tell delegates.
Mr Smart will also warn of the financial pressures facing policing, pointing to what he describes as a stark lack of investment in the service since 2010 and urging police leaders not to ignore “red flags” over the current financial crisis.
He is also expected to highlight continuing concerns about the health and wellbeing of the police workforce.
The PSA conference is being held from September 14 to 15 and is also due to hear from senior figures including National Police Chiefs’ Council chair Gavin Stephens, College of Policing chief operating officer Jo Noakes and HMICFRS chief inspector Kathryn Stone.