Boris Johnson has announced a plan to recruit 20,000 new police officers over the next three years, with the process set to begin in a matter of weeks. 

The rise in crime seen in recent years correlates directly with police cuts, so having more officers on the streets to cut crime is welcome. However, with becoming a police officer comes great responsibility and with such a fast turn around, will new recruits receive sufficient training and/or able to handle the responsibility?

Our Head of Actions Against the Police, Chris Topping, comments:

The arrival of a new PM has brought about a remarkable change in policing policy.

In late 2018 it was reported that the Police in Merseyside had reduced their numbers by around 2,000 officers since 2010. This has undoubtedly had a huge impact on the way in which our region was policed. Stories were rife of towns, such as St Helens, having only one or two officers on duty overnight on a regular basis. The suggestion now that there will be an immediate national recruitment of 20,000 officers is therefore one that will be welcomed as we need to have a police force which is able to respond to the needs of society in a prompt and efficient fashion. 

However, such a massive recruitment exercise will bring with it its own dangers and risks. Will there be adequate training and supervision for this sudden influx of new and inexperienced officers? Where will these recruits come from? 

A recent rule change in recruitment meant that all those who now joined the police had to have or be studying for a degree – such a step was welcomed – however with this announcement there will be a worry about the way in which this rule change can be continued. Are there enough suitable recruits and courses for them to attend?

It is not clear that the effects of years of cuts can be so simply reversed.

The announcement is therefore one which sounds like a step in the right direction to correct some of the crippling effects of austerity. However, as always, the devil is in the detail and it is to be hoped that sufficient resources are being committed to make this pledge a reality which will benefit us all."

As for the governments pledge to review a pilot which makes it easier for officers to use stop and search powers, this is something Chris has already commented on here.

If you have been a victim of police misconduct our expert Actions Against the Police team can help. If you would like some advice please message us your enquiry or request a callback at your convenience and one of our specialist advisers will be in touch.