A comprehensive review commissioned by the College of Policing and co-authored by former Labour home secretary Lord Blunkett and Conservative ex-minister Lord Herbert concludes that police leadership in England and Wales needs a “fundamental overhaul” due to widespread concerns about inadequate performance, disciplinary issues, and cultural weaknesses. According to the review, none of the 43 police forces in England and Wales were rated “outstanding” for leadership in recent inspections, nearly a third require improvement, and two were found inadequate, while eight serving or former chief constables are currently under disciplinary investigation.

Low Morale And Disciplinary Issues Raise Concerns

The review highlights that systemic issues, including low morale and poor motivation among officers, are undermining the effectiveness and ethical standards of police leadership. Lord Blunkett stated, “At the moment, the service isn’t good enough,” during a discussion on the forthcoming report. He further noted, “The evidence gathered during the review pointed to a very large number of those at senior level who have been or are under investigation.” These concerns have triggered calls for significant reform to address failures in both leadership quality and organisational culture.

Recommendations For Root-And-Branch Reform

The report recommends a “root and branch modernisation” of recruitment, development, and monitoring within the police service to improve standards and accountability. This includes proposals for a new approach to selecting and training leaders, as well as enhanced oversight of conduct at senior levels. Reflecting on historical efforts to tackle police misconduct, Lord Blunkett said, “We’ve moved the pendulum since the Macpherson report in 1999, which highlighted overt racism within police forces.” The review signals that, despite progress, further change is required to cultivate ethical, accountable leadership across England and Wales’ police service.

The report is scheduled for public release on 6 July 2026, with attention now focused on how authorities will implement its recommendations to restore confidence and strengthen police leadership structures.