Chief constable to pursue judicial review of scheme requiring all new police officers to obtain degree

The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire, Marc Jones, has backed the move and will fund the legal action.

Established by the Home Office in 2012, the College of Policing plans to implement a new officer recruitment process which requires all recruits to have an academic degree or be prepared to commit to study for one in work time.  

However, Mr Skelly argued that this would mean 40 fewer officers at any one time for front line policing - roughly 10% of his deployable strength – because the study time has been significantly increased compared to the current recruitment programme, increased turnover and failure to complete the course.

He has also warned that there would be extra cash costs to pay for contracts with local academic providers and a requirement for more training staff within the force.

Mr Skelly said: “I have been raising these concerns with the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) for more than two years since the impact of PEQF became clear. The College has pushed forward ignoring the growing evidence that demonstrates the impracticality of their proposals for Lincolnshire. Their most recent communication states the intention to change Police Regulations to enforce the Police Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF) recruitment process from next year.”

Mr Jones, who is funding the legal action, said: “All I am asking for is a stay of implementation (to the summer of 2023) to give time for a legitimate evaluation of the new system being imposed across the country  and for the results to be assessed and any adjustments made.

“In the meantime we are developing an enhanced initial training package that meets the requirements of the modern police officer without creating an unaffordable impact on the police service in Lincolnshire.”

Mr Skelly claimed that no assessment had been made on such issues as the additional strain on the Police Pension Scheme or on the impact on equalities. He also questioned the future of the Special Constabulary under PEQF.

He said: “The College is requiring that every new police officer to be a degree holder and have undertaken years of initial training. At present, Special Constables have the same police powers as our regular officers but do so after a limited period of training and a lower required level of educational qualifications. I see this as unsustainable after the introduction of PEQF.”