The new year brings increasing change

2nd February 2012

As I reflect on the ever increasing pace of change happening all around us, I believe it is now important for us to make a concerted effort to keep our global network of colleagues and friends as up to date as possible on police leadership, operational and technical training developments in the Agency, across British policing and internationally, as seen through the eyes of the Academy.

From changes related to the reforms affecting the NPIA, Bramshill and in particular the International Academy (IAB) here in the UK, to updates on our programmes and services, my blogs will hopefully be where you read it first.

News on the NPIA - Corporately, at the end of last year (it seems so long ago now!) Theresa May, our Home Secretary outlined her vision for the future of policing which involves the creation of a new police professional body in 2013. This new body, of which the IAB we will be a part, will aim to further develop policing as a single profession with a view to enhancing the professional standards and effectiveness of officers and civilians at all ranks and representing the entire service. The new organisation will equip the service with the skills it needs to deliver effective crime fighting in a changing, leaner and more accountable environment with core aspects including:

• Acting as a strategic commissioner of services with responsibility for accreditation, standard setting, assurance and direction over the capability and professionalism of the service
• Focus on cross-border issues to include an international assistance dimension
• A service delivery arm providing access to and co-ordination of training and limited delivery of professional development, leadership and specialist services to policing customers and partners

News on Bramshill - Now that the Christmas period is over (mine was spent in rain swept Devon), we are starting the process of working out how best the academy will fit into the new professional body. This same process is happening in a number of other units. It reminds me of packing for a holiday to an exciting destination! I know there's a way to get everything I want into my suitcase, but sometimes it just looks so daunting and takes more than one attempt. I'm also co-leading on the review into the future of Bramshill, one part of a national review across the whole of the NPIA police estate. Whilst there are several strands to this work, taking a careful look at the long term viability and utilisation of this iconic policing institution is the right thing to do at this time. At this stage, no decision has been made as to the future of the site.

News on the Academy - Against this backdrop, the IAB continues to be 'busy as usual' providing access to a range of professional and contemporary international police leadership, training and development services. We are delighted with our recent International Strategic Leadership Programme evaluation, with the delegate feedback scores being the highest ever recorded - and for that I'd like to record my personal thanks to Alison, Keith, Phil, and of course our students and experts for making it such a great learning experience.

And finally, sticking with the open programme theme, Simon and the team are just putting the finishing touches to the 2012 programme calendar, which should be in your inbox soon. (If not, then please don't hesitate to get in touch). In particular this year and in addition to our ILP & ISLP offering, we will be running a number of short 'specialist leadership and command' courses during the summer period, so do also look out for them.