South Wales Police Federation says reform must recognise the distinct needs of Welsh forces, with Phil Walker warning that local communities must have a meaningful voice in decisions about policing’s future.
Phil’s comments follow a speech by Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, which called for the current 43-force structure to be replaced by between eight and ten larger regional forces. This would be supported by hundreds of local policing commands and a new National Police Service.
The proposals are intended to address the changing nature of crime, improve specialist capabilities and reduce duplication across policing.
Welsh forces must be considered
But while the debate has focused heavily on the potential benefits of larger forces, South Wales Police Federation believes the specific circumstances and needs of Welsh policing must not be overlooked.
Phil said that while there is an acknowledgement that policing needs to change, Wales must have a meaningful voice in shaping what comes next.
He said: “My concern is that, when we talk about reforming policing across England and Wales, the Welsh forces and communities, can sometimes feel like an afterthought.
“We have four police forces serving communities across Wales, with their own geographical challenges, priorities and relationships with the communities they serve. Any proposals for change must recognise that Wales is not simply an extension of the English policing landscape.
“Welsh policing needs to be part of the conversation from the outset, not brought in once decisions have already been made.”
Welsh Government responds to UK’s reform plans
Public services in Wales operate differently, with policing working alongside devolved services and Welsh Government responsibilities in areas including health, education and social care.
These relationships are particularly important when considering demand on police officers, including mental health-related incidents, safeguarding and support for vulnerable people.
The Welsh Government has previously stressed that policing reform must take account of the distinct Welsh context. Its response to the UK Government’s policing reform proposals highlighted the need to protect funding raised in Wales, develop governance arrangements that reflect devolution and recognise differences in laws and working practices across the England-Wales border.
For South Wales Police Federation, this raises important questions about how any new regional structures would operate, who would decide local priorities, and how Welsh communities’ interests would be represented.
Local accountability must not be lost
Phil continued: “We need to understand what these proposals would mean in practice for Wales. Who would set priorities, how would resources be allocated, and how would we make sure that decisions reflect the needs of Welsh communities?
“There is a real risk that, if those questions are not addressed properly, the Welsh voice could be lost within much larger organisations.
“Reform must not mean losing local knowledge, local accountability or the ability to understand the communities we police.”
The Federation also believes any changes must improve the service available to the public and the conditions in which officers work, rather than simply changing organisational structures.
Five tests that reform must meet
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW) has set out five tests which it believes any programme of police reform must meet.
These focus on:
- leadership and structure
- funding and resourcing
- workplace safety and fairness
- tools and systems
- confidence and legitimacy.
The tests ask whether reform will provide clarity and confidence in policing leadership, properly resource the service, create a safe and fair workplace, give officers the equipment and time they need to do their jobs, and rebuild public trust by valuing professionalism and retaining experience.
South Wales Police Federation believes these principles must apply equally to Wales, with local officers properly involved in discussions about the future of the service.
Federation vows to represent Welsh officers
Phil added: “Police officers in Wales want the same things as officers everywhere else. They want to serve their communities, protect vulnerable people and do their jobs to the best of their ability.
“But they need the right resources, leadership and support to make that possible. Any reform must recognise the particular needs of Wales and give our officers a genuine say in shaping the future.”
Phil ended by reassuring members that the Federation would continue to engage with discussions around the future of policing.
He said: “We cannot and will not allow Wales to be forgotten in this debate. The future of Welsh policing must be shaped with Wales, not simply decided for it.”