Ministers will be handed new powers to directly remove failing chief constables following a row over West Midlands Police’s decision to ban Israeli football fans from a match against Aston Villa.
The Home Secretary will have powers to order the retirement, resignation or suspension of senior officers deemed “poorly performing” under the new plans.
Ex-Head of West Midlands Police Craig Guildford stepped down amid criticism of the ban on Maccabi Tel Aviv supporters.
Opposition figures had urged Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to take action under the Police Act 1996 before his departure.
Section 40 of the Act allows home secretaries to direct local forces, but the ability to sack police chiefs was removed by the Coalition government in 2011.
The Government now plans to hold forces directly accountable to the Home Secretary, who will be able to send “crack squads” from high-performing forces to boost standards where crime-solving rates or response times fall short.
New performance targets for 999 response times and victim satisfaction will also be introduced, with results published online to improve transparency.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary will gain statutory powers to issue binding directions when forces ignore recommendations.
The Home Secretary will have powers to order the retirement, resignation or suspension of senior officers
|
GETTY
The proposals are part of a white paper, “From Local To National: A New Model For Policing”, which Ms Mahmood is expected to outline in full on Monday.
The Home Secretary had promised action after expressing a loss of confidence in Mr Guildford over the Villa Park decision.
The former chief apologised for giving inaccurate evidence to MPs, including denying that AI had been used in the report that informed the ban.
A preliminary review by the policing watchdog also highlighted “confirmation bias” in the force’s intelligence.
ISRAELI FOOTBALL FAN SCANDAL – READ MORE:
Ex-Head of West Midlands Police Craig Guildford stepped down amid criticism of the ban
|
PAMr Guildford claimed his views had been “honestly held” and he had not intended to “mislead” the Home Affairs Committee, but resigned days later, blaming a “political and media frenzy”.
Announcing the reforms on Friday, Ms Mahmood said: “The police are the public, and the public are the police.
“It is essential that the people can determine what they expect from their forces.
“I will make police forces accountable to both Parliament and the public – driving up standards so they fight more crime in their communities.”
Maccabi Tel Aviv fans were barred from watching their club’s fixture against Aston Villa on November 6
|
REUTERSLast week, West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster said he would make a voluntary referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over any conduct issues involving the former chief constable connected to these events.
In a statement, Mr Foster said: “These matters have had a significant impact on public confidence, and the confidence of particular communities in the West Midlands. This is unacceptable.
“The force know that I expect them to comply with the very highest standards of conduct at all times.”
Mr Foster added: “Continuing to hold the force to account for its actions, arising from the ban on away supporters from attending the football match on November 6 remains a top priority.”