The police were long known as the last unreformed public service. Police reform was regarded as just too difficult by politicians of all parties. Even Margaret Thatcher flinched from it, giving the boys in blue an inflation-busting pay increase after winning the 1979 election.
But Theresa May and Nick Herbert appear determined to follow through on the recommendations of the Winsor Report. They have announced today that the report’s author, Tom Winsor, is their choice to be the new Chief Inspector of Constabulary. Winsor, if he passes through his select committee hearing next week, will be the first non-policeman to do this job.
The appointment is bound to cause ructions. Even before this news broke, the Police Federation has been trying to undercut Winsor. But May and Herbert have shown that they don’t intend to be cowed by police opposition.
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