I am writing to you in response to His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) inspection of police involvement in politically contested matters, published on the 10th of September 2024.
The report made 22 recommendations in total, with 8 for Chief Constables.
As the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, I am committed to ensuring that policing locally is conducted in a manner that is impartial, fair, and free from influence. I welcome HMICFRS’s work in highlighting this critical area, especially given the legislative framework that underpins our obligations and the public trust we seek to uphold.
Below I provide comment on some of the key issues set out in the report alongside comments from West Merica Police against each of the relevant recommendations.
Preventing Discrimination and Supporting a Diverse Workforce
My Police and Crime Plan makes direct commitments around improving culture and behaviours of the workforce including being inclusive and representative of the community it serves. As PCC, I am committed to fostering a working environment where all staff and officers are treated fairly and have equal opportunities to thrive.
This has been subject to regular scrutiny through my Assurance and Accountability programme, where I carry out my formal holding to account role focusing on both officer and staff wellbeing and force activity to ensure they have an inclusive and appropriate culture for officers and staff. This extends to scrutiny of the professional standards portfolio and the work undertaken by West Mercia Police to root out individuals when their behaviour falls below that expected.
In response to recommendation 10 and 22, I am advised by the Chief Constable that the force lead for Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) is reviewing the current uniform policy and will submit an options paper to the Chief Constable to make an informed and balanced direction about displaying visible representations. Any additional livery to police vehicles will also be considered as part of this.
The force lead for DEI is also reviewing the current structure and funding allocated to each support network group. It is likely that specific support groups will be consolidated under a number of broader network groups and funding will be allocated dependant on group membership and locally based need. This will ensure parity/ fairness across all groups and allow meaningful oversight to adjust funding and support where required.
In response to recommendations 12 and 13, the force continues to explore the capacity of trained personnel in completing equality impact assessments along with implementing a recording mechanism to withstand scrutiny. The force is satisfied that it has an effective process for the review and audit of policies in general. Policies are reviewed on a frequent basis including a critical friend process for feedback to ensure it meets the required standards of all.
Trust and Confidence
I place great emphasis on police visibility and accessibility both through my Police and Crime Plan and engagement with the force as this is what communities tell me is important to them. This includes engagement at public events which plays a vital role in building trust and confidence, strengthening relationships between West Mercia Police and the communities they serve.
However, I recognise the balance to ensure such engagement is conducted in a manner that upholds the principles of impartiality and fairness. Public perceptions of police neutrality can be significantly influenced by officer presence and conduct at community events, particularly those that may be associated with political or social
movements.As PCC, I am reassured that engagement activity is undertaken with the sole purpose of improving the relationship with all communities in West Mercia.
I commission a public perceptions survey to seek a representative view of perceptions towards policing by residents across West Mercia. The latest findings for the 12 months ending Q2 24/25 show that 95% of respondents support West Mercia Police, 85% trust them, 88% believe they act with integrity and overall, 81% have confidence in West Mercia Police. These results demonstrate encouraging levels of public perceptions locally.
To further support public confidence and ensure that hate-related incidents are handled with rigor, West Mercia Police are reviewing recommendations 16-18 and 20. These recommendations link to policies in place relating to the recording of non-crime hate incidents, analysis of data and processes in place for reviewing incidents.
West Mercia Police are implementing robust quality control measures to ensure data recording is reliable and consistent. This includes regular audits with learning from the panel fed back through to officers, however a further process is required within the communications centre (OCC) to ensure these incident logs are identifiable for audit purposes. I am reassured that this will be addressed as part of an associated ASB review.
Currently all hate crime logs are reviewed by an Inspector across either the local policing area or within the crime recording centre with dedicated Hate Crime Officers on each local policing are to ensure an appropriate response and where appropriate, victim care.
I am disappointed that systems in place do not currently follow code of practice for recording and retention of non-crime hate incidents, but I am reassured that activity is underway with suppliers to find a solution to this.
The Role of PCCs
The report touches on the potential risks of the PCC role “politicising” policing. While I recognise the importance of impartiality in policing, it is crucial to underscore the unique role that PCCs play in ensuring that policing remains accountable, transparent, and responsive to public needs. As PCC, I am directly accountable to the public and I act as a representative of community concerns to enhances local accountability.
My responsibility to represent the public is essential to preserving public trust in policing, particularly in areas where accountability and transparency are paramount. I respectfully disagree with any implication that this role introduces undue political influence over policing; rather, it reinforces public confidence by connecting police services to the communities they serve.
Several safeguards are in place to ensure impartiality. This distinction is further reinforced by statutory codes and guidance that outlines the boundaries of the PCC’s role. Firstly, all PCCs are supported by a monitoring officer- a statutory role designed to ensure a PCCs actions remain within legal and ethical boundaries. The monitoring officer is required to report on any issues that have or would contravene law or any code of practice providing an essential check on conduct and decisions.
Secondly, the Police and Crime Panel provides independent oversight and scrutiny of the PCC. The Panel is made up of representatives from local authorities across West Mercia, as well as independent members and is responsible for reviewing and challenging PCC decisions, strategic priorities and budget allocations. This external oversight holds the PCC accountable to communities rather than allowing any individual agenda to shape decisions.
Balancing Roles: The PCC and the Chief Constable
The report also explores the delicate balance between the PCC and the Chief Constable, which is a fundamental aspect of an effective and accountable policing model. I acknowledge the need for a clear distinction between operational independence and strategic oversight. In West Mercia, the division of responsibilities is both respected and well-defined, ensuring that strategic priorities reflect community safety needs without infringing upon the Chief Constable’s authority over operational decisions.
My role as PCC supports, rather than directs, operational outcomes. Through my Police and Crime Plan, my focus remains on setting priorities based on public consultation and data-driven insights, while empowering the Chief Constable to lead operational decision-making aligned with these priorities. This collaborative approach aims to maintain a constructive relationship rooted in mutual respect and shared accountability.
Summary
The themes presented in the HMICFRS briefing align with West Mercia’s commitment to impartial, transparent, and community-focused policing. As PCC, my role is essential in upholding public trust, and I am committed to supporting West Mercia Police in a manner that strengthens accountability without compromising operational independence.
