Please note
Our work is primarily aimed at assisting force administrators, not police officers directly. Officers are advised to contact their force.

Workforce Strategy

We support the Police Service by increasing the efficiency of key police HR policies and procedures and engaging with them to determine our priorities.

We have an established portfolio of programmes at different stages of development. See below for a list of links to relevant sub-pages:

Workforce Strategy
Police Recruitment Standards
National PDR System
National Police Promotion Framework
Queen's Award for Innovation in Police Training and Development
Special Constabulary
Police Support Volunteers
Police Health and Safety
Police Welfare 
30+ Scheme and New 30+ (PLUS) Retention Scheme
Fitness Standards for Specialist Roles
Performance and Misconduct Procedures - Taylor Reforms
HR Community Development

 

Review of National PDR System

The Performance and Development Review (PDR) process in policing links individual objectives to the overall aims and objectives of the force. It ensures that police officers and staff are aware of the performance standards required of them and enables assessment against those standards to ensure consistent and effective performance. The PDR is also an essential tool to identify any learning and development needs to improve performance and develop the individual.

The current national PDR system for police officers and police staff is set out in Home Office Circular  014/2003. In terms of implementation, forces may find useful the following detailed Skills for Justice guidance: PDR - A Guide to Successful Implementation and Improvement. This guidance provides advice for Force HR and training departments on PDR design, implementation and process. Police officers and staff with line management responsibility may wish to note the 'quick guide for line managers' in Appendix A.

Whilst there is a PDR in place in each of the forces of England and Wales (which should be modelled on Home Office Circular 014/2003), we are aware that are some concerns about this system. With this in mind, the NPIA is committed to reviewing the national PDR system. However, the nature of and timetable for review will be determined following consultation and consideration with our tripartite partners on the Independent Review of Policing by Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

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Fitness Testing for Specialist Roles

The ACPO Working Group on National Fitness Standards have commissioned research to establish the appropriate fitness standards for various specialist roles within the police service including firearms officers, dog handlers and public order officers. The research, which is funded by the NPIA, is being undertaken by Lilleshall Consultants and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.  The Working Group will consider the findings and produce guidance on national standards for these roles.

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HR Community Development

An important part of our work focuses on fostering and developing effective working relationships with the police HR community through shared agendas. Current liaison includes work placement interchanges; attendance at national and regional meetings and joint ventures. If you work in police HR and would like more information about how we can help and work with you, please get in touch with the project lead.

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