Company status ‘now unhelpful’
ACPO’s role within the police service is under review amid concerns about its status as a private company and public accountability.
Formed in 1948, ACPO has developed into a powerful, policy-making institution, drawing input from senior officers from every force. It became a limited company in 1997 but there have been grumblings from police authorities – who provide about half its funding – over a lack of accountability.
Current president Sir Hugh Orde has acknowledged the private company status is “now unhelpful and makes little sense to the public.”