Final Report of the Morris Inquiry: The Case for Change

BUILDING CAPACITY
9.45 The HMIC report does not make a recommendation on multi-point entry but
simply acknowledges the strong views expressed both for and against the
proposition. However, it goes on to say:
“What is unchallenged is that unless someone takes a leap of faith, the service will not be able
to tap into the wealth of experience and talent currently lodged outside policing. A 40-year
old expert in drugs is unlikely to apply to be a probationary constable but could be invaluable
in shaping the police response to such issues. The time is right either to embark on controlled
pilots of such deployments or move on from the debate.”
9.46 We welcome the recent Government announcement to support the principle
of multi-point entry. The MPS is a large organisation with the need for particular
skills.
We recommend that the MPS gives consideration to early implementation of
any proposed scheme of multi-point entry for officers.
Retention and development
9.47 Recruiting the right people is only part of the challenge, the other is retaining
them and ensuring that they acquire the right skills and experience to discharge
their given roles.
9.48 Becoming an employer of choice involves more than being attractive to
potential employees but also providing incentives to officers and staff to remain in
post rather than move elsewhere.
“I think recruiting of female officers is quite high, it is maintaining them, looking at maternity
issues, promotion issues, retention issues. That is where I feel we need to concentrate our
efforts, and using senior women and experienced women, senior PCs who have been around
a while, to mentor and be available to newer serving female officers.” (Evidence of Ms LL.)
Induction
9.49 Work on retention should start immediately after an individual is accepted
into the service. Induction provides an early opportunity for the organisation to
communicate its vision and values, set out what it expects of its workforce and
demonstrate the value it places on the contribution of its officers and staff. Their
experience of that process will be one of the first tests for the organisation.
9.50 As with recruitment and retention, effective organisations will have developed
policies on induction.
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