A collection of news articles, reports, and publications available in the public domain, which are relevant to UK policing.
The Working Time (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 were laid before Parliament on 27th March 2020 and are now in force. The regulations were made to allow workers to carry over annual leave into the following leave year for a maximum of two years where workers were unable to take this leave as a result of the effect of coronavirus (Covid-19).
Source: legislation.gov.uk
The Coronavirus Bill received Royal Assent on 25 March 2020 and is now known as the Coronavirus Act 2020. It is an Act to make provision in connection with coronavirus and fr connected purposes.
A large proportion of the Act relates to the NHS and social care, however, there are parts of the Act affecting police powers. For instance, the length of time that DNA profiles and fingerprints can be retained has been extended by six months and it is now an offence to fail to comply with new measures brought in by the Act such as travel restrictions. Additionally, the Act delays the Police and Crime Commissioner elections by one year.
The Act can be read in full here. The Explanatory Notes can be found here.
Source: legislation.gov.uk
The annual increase level to public pension schemes has been announced. In relation to the period from 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 inclusive, the change in prices is an increase of 1.7 per cent and the change in earnings is an increase of 4 per cent. This Order is due to come into force on 1 April 2020.
Source: Gov.uk
An open consultation was launched by the Home Office to gather views on the principle of implementing a Police Covenant in England and Wales. The consultation is to explore themes such as physical protection, health and wellbeing of police officers as well as support for their families.
The consultation closes on 22 April 2020.
Source: Gov.uk
On 25 February 2019, the Home Office released guidance for employers and businesses with regards to COVID-19. The guidance is to assist employers in providing advice to staff on COVID-19 including the prevention of spreading of the infection as well as what to do if someone is suspected or confirmed with COVID-19 in a workplace.
The guidance can be read in full here.
Source: Gov.uk
Officials from the Home Office, College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) have said the target to recruit 20,000 police officers is too low because the figure does not take into account current officers who will be retiring or will leave the service in the same time period. Instead, they say the target should be closer to 50,000.
In addition to the target not being high enough, current figures suggest that only one in ten candidates who apply to join the police are successful, meaning to reach the target of 50,000 officers, nearly 500,000 people would need to apply.
Source: BBC News
The Home Office has published an explanatory note to clarify the starting figure for which the recruitment of an additional 20,000 officers will be measured against. Also it is looking to publish regular official statistics on progress in the recruitment campaign. Planned releases will provide information on the recruitment process and will include force level breakdowns.
The information note can be read in full here.
Source: Gov.uk
Regulations have been made to bring into force provisions of the Policing and Crime Act 2017. The provisions relate to police misconduct and complaints.
The provisions will come into force on 1 February 2020.
Source: Gov.uk
The Guardian published a news story on a study done by the Police Foundation. The study ‘A Diversity Uplift?’ found that black police officer numbers increased only slightly since 2007. Reportedly 86 black police officers joined across the 44 forces in England and Wales.
The Police Foundation concluded that the planned 20,000 police officers uplift offers policing in England and Wales ‘a once-in-a-generation opportunity’ to improve diversity across forces.
Source: The Guardian
Deloitte have published a report which considers how the announcement of a target to recruit 20,000 officers can transform UK policing.
The research presented in the report was compiled through conducting interviews, workshops, data/statistics reviews and a literature review.
The report can be read in full here.
Source: Deloitte
Police Horizon Scanning 