Background College of Policing
39.The Home Office’s plans for policing reform, published in July 2010, set out in Policing in the 21st Century(18) included proposals for strengthening the national structures in policing by, amongst other things, phasing out the National Policing Improvement Agency (“NPIA”). Among the functions undertaken by the NPIA was the provision of learning and development services to police forces. Following this commitment to phase out the NPIA, the Home Secretary commissioned Chief Constable Peter Neyroud to carry out a review of police leadership and training. The outcome of his review was published on 15 April 2011.(19) The principal recommendation of the review was the creation of a professional body for the police in England and Wales. The Home Secretary published her response to this review on 15 December 2011 (House of Commons, Official Report, columns 125WS to 127WS; House of Lords, Official Report, columns WS157 to WS159) and signalled her intention to establish a professional body (“the College of Policing”). On 1 December 2012, some of the functions, assets and people that had previously worked for the NPIA transferred to the College of Policing (which has been established as a company limited by guarantee). The NPIA was formally abolished on 7 October 2013 when section 15(2) of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 was brought into force.
40.The purpose of the College of Policing is to support the fight against crime and protect the public by ensuring professionalism in policing. It aims to do this through the delivery of five key areas of responsibility. First, the College will have the responsibility for setting standards and developing guidance and policy for policing. Second, it will build and develop the research evidence base for policing. Third, it will support the professional development of police officers and staff. Fourth, it will support the police, other law enforcement agencies and those involved in crime reduction to work together. Fifth, it will identify and develop the ethics and value of the police. Where necessary, sections 123 to 130 establish the legislative basis for the College to discharge its responsibilities.