The radical reform of the police service, which involves the creation of Police and Crime Commissioners, will be speeded up by the axing of the National Policing Improvement Agency and the creation of a new top body. ‘The reform programme is aimed at securing the most radical change for more than 50 years.
The new police professional body will support police officers at all ranks and civilian policing professionals. It will take responsibility for developing professional skills and leadership in the police service. It will act in the public interest and will be a single voice for the police service with a publicly accountable board and independent chairperson.
The value for money role of the National Policing Improvement Agency be taken over by the Police and Crime Commissioners. Other national critical operational functions, such as Missing Person Bureau, will move to the new National Crime Agency. Responsibility for the 101 non-emergency phone service, crime mapping, pathology services and forensic service will go to the Home Office.
The government is also establishing an Information and Communications Technology company. The company will be owned by police authorities and subsequently Police and Crime Commissioners, with the police service as its customer. It will be responsible for the procurement, implementation and management of complex contracts for information technology, related business change and outsourcing services, supplying both national and local services for police.