Landmark Review Launched Amid Controversies
Home Secretary Suella Braverman has called on the police to prioritize their duty of keeping the public safe and refrain from engaging in political activism. This comes in response to mounting criticism of officers involved in contentious issues such as taking the knee, trans debates, and eco-extremism.
"Unacceptable Rise" in Picking Sides
In a letter to policing leaders, Braverman expressed concerns about the "unacceptable rise" in police officers taking part in political causes. She emphasized that their focus should be on tackling crime rather than involving themselves in political matters. She stated, "Officers should not be wearing or waving badges or flags that undermine their oath of impartiality or which may lead members of the public to question their impartiality."
Call to Address Language Use
Braverman also highlighted that it is "grossly insulting" and inaccurate to refer to trans rapists with male genitalia using female pronouns. She urged police officers to use appropriate and unbiased language when addressing such cases.
Review to Investigate Influence of Political Correctness
Andy Cooke, His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary, has been tasked with leading an investigation into the influence of politically correct causes on policing in England and Wales. The findings of the review are expected to be reported by March.
Controversies Surrounding Woke Policing
This call for a review follows recent controversies surrounding "woke policing." Examples include categorizing an accidental damage to a copy of the Koran by an autistic boy as a "hate incident" and a police force's decision to not tolerate hateful comments about the gender identity of a trans woman who had committed sexual abuse prior to transitioning.
Focus on Getting the Basics Right
In an effort to prioritize common sense policing, the government aims to steer law enforcement back to the fundamentals. This includes instructing officers to stay out of Twitter spats, investigate all crimes with a "reasonable lead," and reduce their involvement in non-critical mental health callouts.
Crime as a Dividing Line
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak intends to make crime a key issue in the next General Election, as he critiques Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's record on crime. The government seeks to regain public confidence by ensuring that policing is primarily focused on cutting crime, protecting communities, and supporting victims.
Reviewing the Detrimental Impact
The review commissioned by Braverman will explore whether police involvement in politically contentious matters has a negative impact on policing. She vowed to leave "no stone unturned" in ensuring that policing functions in the best interests of the British public.
