Andy Cooke, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and head of police forces in England and Wales, asserts that too many officers have been able to exploit their positions for sexual purposes.
Police trust is at an all-time low, according to a policing watchdog.
Chiefs of police are urged to focus on the crimes that matter most to the public, get the fundamentals of investigations correct, and reinstate the abandoned policy of neighborhood policing.
Andy Cooke, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, believes that all of this should be mandated by law, and he is demanding new legal authority to ensure that commanders adhere to his regulations. He also desires a role in their selection.
Mr. Cooke stated, “There are clear and systemic failures throughout the police service in England and Wales. And due to a series of heinous scandals, public confidence in the police is on a thread.” We have a limited window of time to make repairs.”
Over the years, he said, repeated pleas for change have been largely ignored or implemented too slowly.
He added we have made many proposals to prevent police officers from sexually abusing people since 2016. “Because insufficient forces took significant action, we are where we are.
“Due to this lack of action, it had become too simple for the wrong individuals to join and remain in the police force”.
There is a limit to the number of times we can express the same thing in different words. The time for discussion is over; now is the time for action.
Mr. Cooke, a former chief constable of Merseyside Police, acknowledged that the majority of officers are dedicated, courageous, and devoted, but insisted that significant reform is necessary. The same holds for other businesses.
Victims who aren’t vulnerable must still receive quality care.
He said that mental health funding shortages forced police to treat patients instead of fighting crime. He stated that police responded to 600,000 mental health incidents last year.
“I would not expect a mental health professional to conduct a criminal investigation. “The function of the police must be more precisely defined,” he said.
“Having too many demands hinders their ability to set priorities. Often and appropriately, a considerable quantity of time and energy is devoted to protecting the most vulnerable.
“The police exist to provide equal service to all citizens. “It is not an either/or situation; victims who are not vulnerable should still receive a high level of service from the police when they need it.”
He described the criminal justice system as “dysfunctional” and disclosed that the accumulation of crown court cases in October of last year was the highest ever recorded.
“In far too many instances, victims lose faith in the system and withdraw entirely from the process,” he said.
“Forces must demonstrate professionalism, investigate crimes thoroughly, and respond appropriately when someone contacts 999.
This is the method for the police to regain the public’s trust.
“The fundamental principle of consent-based policing, upon which our police force is based, is in jeopardy, and it is time to act.”
The confidence level has fallen below 50%
He said public opinion polls showed a 75% reduction in police satisfaction in two years.
“People are legitimately, arguably safer than they were before, as the majority of crimes have decreased, but they do not feel safer. “Policing must be perceived as effective,” he continued.
Mr. Cooke referred to community policing as the “building block of policing” in England and Wales.
“It is not merely a good deed. It is fundamental to the relationship between the authorities and the public and to the prevention of crime.”
According to him, government funding cuts have reduced police community support officers (PCSOs) from 16,377 in 2010 to 8,377.
By providing an effective neighborhood policing presence, communities are allowed to voice their concerns and provide input on local priorities,” he explained.
This allows police and municipal governments to work with the public to address problems and prevent crime.
Mr. Cooke blasted police for failing to address high-volume crimes like house burglary when he was recruited last year.
Earlier this week, a report disclosed that all forces now respond to every reported home burglary. Another said that nearly half of England and Wales police have not solved a burglary in three years.
