The latest report by His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, is a sharp reminder of the ongoing issues in police in England and Wales. While the report addresses concerns like financing and staffing, it is evident that the source of the problem is more profound—a culture inside the police force that has enabled systematic failures to endure for far too long.
A culture in crisis
Cooke’s report underscores a disturbing pattern of inconsistency in how police forces address public concerns and conduct investigations. This systemic failure often results in a justice system that fails victims. Data from the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) supports this alarming trend, revealing that approximately 20% of complaints in 2022/23 centred on the misuse of police powers and procedural violations. These issues encompass a range of concerns, including the execution of stop and search and adherence to established protocols.
Furthermore, a significant 13% of complaints centred on individual officer behaviour. These allegations encompassed inappropriate conduct, unprofessionalism, and instances of public discourtesy. While constituting a smaller percentage of overall complaints, allegations of discreditable conduct (1%) exhibited a concerning 19% increase from the previous year. Such grave accusations severely threaten public trust in the police force. Rather than focusing on isolated instances of misconduct, these recurrent scandals draw attention to a structural problem in the police. Rebuilding public trust requires putting honesty first, defending whistleblowers, and implementing severe punishments for wrongdoing.
Victims left in the cold
It is troubling how starkly the report depicts the police's inability to assist victims. It serves as a sobering reminder that the mechanisms to safeguard the people frequently fail them first. Sexual offences, which are known to be complicated instances, bring this issue to light most clearly. A sobering indictment of the police's handling of such delicate circumstances is the startling 26.2% of these cases that remained unresolved at the end of the year.
When it comes to incidents of violence against women and girls, the police's deficiencies are most pronounced. The system appears unfit to give these victims the assistance and justice they are due. The results of the 2022 Victim Survey are dismal: 71% of participants expressed dissatisfaction with the police reaction. This extreme discontent highlights a pervasive issue with the criminal justice system.
We need to move beyond surface-level solutions to confront this situation; we need fundamental changes.
Beyond numbers
Cooke's study appropriately urges more financing and a re-examination of the police funding mechanism, but these fixes only touch the tip of a much larger issue. The cultural problems that have resulted in a crisis of public trust cannot be resolved with financial resources alone. The police require a comprehensive reorganisation of its procedures, culture, and financial support.
Police officers in England and Wales have engaged in unethical and occasionally illegal activity. In 2021, for example, the murder of Sarah Everard by a police officer resulted in a conviction that had a long-lasting effect on the department and prompted many calls for change. The public's perception of the police has substantially declined. The Crime Survey indicates that from 2017–18 and 2021/22, public confidence decreased by 10 percentage points. In addition, Ipsos data on British faith in local law enforcement indicated a further drop in public trust from 56% in 2022 to just 48% in 2023. To win back the public's faith, the police must put accountability, transparency, and responsiveness first.
A long road ahead
The path to reform is complicated and drawn out. It will need guts, tenacity, and a readiness to face the complex realities of law enforcement. The study by Andy Cooke serves as a warning. StopWatch will continue our relentless efforts to support communities impacted by over-policing and hold the police force accountable. A just and fair police system is essential to a safe and equitable society, not just a desirable one. We aim to create a path for significant, long-lasting change by supporting evidence-based policy and opposing police misconduct.
Written by Friyana Guzder
All blogposts are published with the permission of the author. The views expressed are solely the author’s own and do not necessarily represent the views of StopWatch UK.