POLICE RESPONSIBILITIES AND REWARDS: INQUIRY (Hansard, 6 July 1992)

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

My right honourable friend the Home Secretary together with my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, have appointed Sir Patrick Sheehy as Chairman of the inquiry and Sir Paul Fox, Professor Colin Campbell, Mr. John Bullock and Mr. Eric Caines as members.

The inquiry will have the following terms of reference:

"To examine the rank structure, remuneration and conditions of service of the police service in England and Wales, in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and to recommend what changes, if any, would be sensible to ensure:

rank structures and conditions of service, which reflect the current roles and responsibilities of police officers;

enough flexibility in the distribution of rewards to ensure that responsibilities and performance may be properly recognised in changing circumstances;

remuneration set and maintained at a level adequate to ensure the recruitment, retention and motivation of officers of the right quality;

having full regard to:

the principle recommended by the Edmund-Davies Inquiry that police pay should reflect the special nature of the police officer's role;

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the principles set out in the police service statement of common purposes and values;

the need to ensure affordability and value for money in public spending.

Background: The inquiry should take into account:

the results of fact-finding studies into

(i) the current roles and responsibilities of police officers;
(ii) the current manpower profiles of the police forces and the possible impact on career development of changes in police retirement policy;

relevant recommendations by the Audit Commission;

all work currently being undertaken relating to manpower and personnel issues, including work on police performance measures and indicators;

development in pay generally;

the special and different circumstances of the Royal Ulster Constabulary".

The purpose of the inquiry is to ensure that police rank and structures meet the long term needs of the public for a professional, competent and effective police service in the United Kingdom. The inquiry will report jointly to my right honourable friend the Home Secretary, my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland and to my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. In addition to the fact finding studies mentioned in the terms of reference, the inquiry may decide to set in hand other research which it considers necessary and desirable. We also expect it to take evidence from a wide range of bodies and individuals concerned with the police and the services they provide. It will be expected to have regard to the differing circumstances in which police officers have to carry out their duties in different parts of the United Kingdom, considering in particular the special circumstances of the Royal Ulter Constabulary and the responsibilities of the Metropolitan Police in respect of other parts of the United Kingdom. The inquiry will be looking at rank structure, remuneration (including allowances as well as basic pay) and conditions of service and we expect it to make recommendations which will provide a sound basis for establishing these in a way which meets the present and future needs of the police and the public they serve.