The Metropolitan Police Federation notes the Government's intention to introduce a "licence to practice" for police officers.
As with any upcoming police reforms these need to be properly discussed and debated and the devil will be in the details.
Officers in London will have more questions than they have answers on these proposals. Who will pay for the licences? What happens if officers "fail"? Are the warrant cards we proudly carry already not our licence to practice?
And if it all goes through, what will this mean for the Office of Constable?
We all want the highest standards in policing but we fear this will be an expensive, time consuming, tickbox exercise and become bureaucratic and burdensome on the already stretched MPS.
Metropolitan Police training is already inadequate so we do wonder how on earth this will all practically work? And is the vetting officers go through not already enough?
We also wonder if this proposed licence and the need to "pass" will apply to all ranks - including chief officers?
The Metropolitan Police Federation can assure colleagues that we will be seeking answers to these many questions as the process proceeds.
