Workforce prioritisation guidance: Leadership

What it is 

Effective leadership is the foundation of a healthy policing workforce. As the demands on officers and staff become more complex, so too must the ability of leaders to support wellbeing, performance, and culture. 

The College of Policing’s National Leadership Standards set out clear expectations for leadership at all levels - from frontline supervisors to chief officers. These standards underpin the Police Leadership Programme (PLP), a structured, modular development pathway with five progressive stages. 

Wellbeing and resilience are embedded throughout the PLP, equipping leaders with the tools to create psychologically safe, high-performing teams. Enhanced leadership development includes delivering Stages 1–3 of the PLP locally, accessing national provision for Stages 4–5, and crucially, applying this learning to drive cultural change in the workplace. 

Forces demonstrating enhanced practice also build wellbeing into leadership assessments, use scenario-based training, and promote reflective learning through high-quality Professional Development Review (PDR) processes. The Leadership Learning Platform, developed by the College, provides free access to toolkits, resources, and self-directed learning for everyone in policing. 

Why it matters

Leadership shapes the day-to-day experience of every police officer and staff member. Research and workforce feedback consistently show that the quality of line management is one of the biggest factors influencing morale, wellbeing, and retention. 

Leaders who are confident and capable in supporting wellbeing, both for themselves and their teams, are central to building a resilient and sustainable workforce. 

Enhanced leadership practice means treating wellbeing as a core responsibility, not a peripheral issue. When it’s embedded into performance measures and leadership development, it becomes part of the culture, where emotional intelligence, early intervention, and psychological safety are seen as essential policing competencies. 

The College of Policing and NPWS work together to ensure leadership and wellbeing frameworks are aligned. Through this collaboration, forces are supported to embed best practice - from supervision to PDR design.