Police Federation criticises plans for mandatory ‘licence to practise’ for officers

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 1 min read 100% complete by Donna FergusonJanuary 24, 2026 at 02:46 PM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

The UK Home Office is introducing a "licence to practise" requirement for police officers in England and Wales as part of a reform package aimed at improving standards. The new policy, detailed in an upcoming white paper, will require officers to hold and renew this licence throughout their careers. In response, the Police Federation has criticized the plans, arguing that the government should first address issues such as unsafe workloads, inadequate pay, and insufficient training for officers. The Federation believes these fundamental issues must be resolved before focusing on professionalizing policing through mandatory licensing. They suggest these factors are more critical to improving police performance and public safety.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

UK 40% England 60% Wales 60% Home Office 70% Police Federation ×290%

Keywords

police 100% police officers 90% licence to practise 90% police federation 80% reforms 70% standards 70% workloads 60% police pay 50% training 50% home office 40%