A group of 84 officers, comprising police constables and sergeants from police forces across England and Wales, will be the first to begin their training under the revised High Potential Development Scheme (HPDS).

Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, Chief Executive of the NPIA, said: "The police service asked us to make revising and implementing HPDS one of our top priorities and we have delivered.

"The scheme is intended as a 'tough to get on, tough to stay on' programme, which will be deliberately challenging. Not all police officers will progress to the final stage although every officer who takes part in the programme will benefit from the training and development they receive, which will ultimately benefit policing and the public we serve."

To support scheme members, the NPIA announced today that it will be working in partnership with Warwick University to design and deliver a wide range of academic and professional development programmes as part of HPDS.

HPDS is the first initiative to be delivered under the police leadership strategy, Leading Policing, which was produced by the NPIA on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities and the Home Office, following an extensive national debate within the service.

Police forces are working with the NPIA in identifying high potential officers early in their career for the revised HPDS. Those who enter the scheme will develop the operational policing knowledge and business skills required to fulfil demanding senior leadership roles. HPDS will complement wider efforts by the NPIA, police forces and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary to develop police leaders in a range of specialist, supervisory and senior roles.

Peter Fahy, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police and ACPO lead on Leadership, said: "We are making real progress in addressing the issues the service identified during its national debate on leadership. While more needs to be done, the launch of the revised HPDS reflects the effort and investment that is being put into developing future police leaders."

John Benington, Professor of Public Policy and Management at Warwick Business School, and Academic Director for the HPDS programme, said: "Warwick University is delighted to contribute to this innovative programme, working in close partnership with the NPIA and leading police forces throughout England and Wales. The police are right at the frontline when it comes to tackling some of the most critical problems facing the UK, both locally and nationally. We are pleased to help with the further development of those officers identified as having the potential to go on and fulfil the top leadership roles of the future."