APCC Chair and Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Emily Spurrell, the focus turns to the Police Reform White Paper and the growing debate around the future of policing governance in England and Wales. Spurrell explains why she still believes abolishing Police and Crime Commissioners is the wrong decision, while also setting out the areas of reform she does support, including greater standardisation, modernisation and stronger national coordination.
The interview also explores where she believes the risks now lie, particularly around force mergers, cost, local accountability and the danger of losing the connection between policing and the communities it serves. Speaking both as PCC for Merseyside and as Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Spurrell offers a clear view of what many PCCs support, what worries them, and why the public should understand what is at stake.
Key takeaways
- Emily Spurrell says abolishing PCCs is still the wrong decision.
- She argues PCCs have added real value on accountability, victims and community engagement.
- A big theme is that reform should have strengthened PCC powers, not removed them.
- Spurrell supports parts of the White Paper, especially around national coordination and standardisation.
- She warns that large-scale force mergers could weaken local connection and public trust.
- Cost is a major concern, with mergers likely to require significant investment.
- She says most PCCs are uneasy about broad merger plans, even if some local cases may make sense.
- The interview highlights the risk of too much reform happening at once across policing and beyond.
Sound bites
- “I still think it’s the wrong decision.”
- “This isn’t a party political issue.”
- “It feels like too much at the wrong time.”
- “That connection to the local is so important.”
- “It’s going to cost a huge amount of money.”
Chapters
00:00 – Why Emily Spurrell still opposes abolition
00:29 – Revisiting the argument over PCCs
02:57 – Why this is not a party political issue
04:49 – What she agrees with in the White Paper
06:09 – The risks in the wider reform package
07:30 – What PCCs think about force mergers
09:07 – Can mergers really be done at no cost?
09:49 – Why reform costs matter
📌 Subscribe for more leadership conversations from inside and beyond policing
#PoliceReform #PCCs #MerseysidePolice #ForceMergers #PoliceGovernance #LocalPolicing #PublicSafety
We have launched a YouTube channel where you can also view our videos – just click here and please like and subscribe PTV Youtube
PolicingTV content is being brought to you in partnership with Kodex & World Policing Advisory
Kodex revolutionises the way organisations manage sensitive data requests from law enforcement and government agencies, transforming a traditionally complex process into a secure, streamlined workflow that ensures compliance, enhances security, and reduces operational costs.
Trusted by over 90,000 government agents and industry leaders like Binance, Airbnb, Match Group, and LinkedIn, Kodex sets the industry standard for secure data exchange — powered by a global intelligence network and advanced threat detection capabilities.
To learn more about Kodex, click here – If you are part of a government agency and need to create an account, click here
World Policing Advisory is a global consultancy specialising in the future of policing and public safety. We offer global policing expertise, delivered locally through a model focused on consulting with conscience.
Our teams have direct experience of strategic and tactical policing and private sector leadership, blended with the globe’s best subject matter expertise to create high impact value for money services with in-year benefits.
For more information contact our MD, Gary Stuart ([email protected])