The UK's New College of Policing: Or, Why Don't We Have One?

Building upon an earlier blog from November 2012, the UK continues to demonstrate leadership through continued innovations coming out of the new College of Policing.

This entity took over many of the roles and responsibilities previously carried out under the auspices of the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). It has wisely, and usefully, continued the monthly publication of the Digest which, as its name suggests, offers up-to-date summaries of police legislation, as well as, reports and information on policing operations and advances in criminal justice. Of course, circumstances alter cases in Canadian policing law and practice. However, Canadian police leaders may learn a great deal from what is transpiring in another common law jurisdiction which following the Westminster traditions. Topics like child sexual exploitation, undercover policing operations, surveillance camera code of conduct, intelligence services and other matters of interest provide excellent background research and evidence for Canadian police organizations.

The College of Policing is becoming increasingly more active in coordinating and contributing to the multitude of activities and initiatives designed to improve policing in the UK. The College's CEO, Alex Marshall, has been proactive in leading this new entity toward improvements in the overall quality of policing in this jurisdiction. The College's website: www.college.police.uk is a true gold-mine of resources for Canadian police practitioners and academics. It also highlights that current reality that Canada does not have a strong centre of gravity for its policing research and study.

Indeed, the UK offers our country a truly leading example of what might be accomplished when the notion of the 'economics of policing' is taken seriously. Earlier in July 2013, the College of Police responded to a report published by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) dealing with "Valuing the Police" which includes submissions from all police services across the UK. This is an evidence-based demonstration that these diverse police organizations are working hard to produce savings in the delivery of this vital service, while also protecting public safety, workforce safety, and ensuring quality service delivery. The HMIC's national report: Policing in austerity: rising to the challenge, and the reports submitted by the forty-three (43) individual British police services may be accessed at: www.hmic.gov.uk.programmes/value-for-money/policing-in-austerity-rising-to-the-challenge/

Canadian police leaders, including the executives of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Association of Police Boards, and the Canadian Police Association should all be looking very closely at the UK's College of Policing and asking themselves; Why can't we cooperate to create a Canadian equivalent of this vital agency?