{"links":{"self":"https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/780598.json"},"data":{"type":"petition","id":780598,"attributes":{"action":"Remove Police from political control, place under independent control","background":"I do not believe that any political party should have such influence over the Police. In my view, policing should be overseen by an independent body whose members are not affiliated with any political party. Political influence should not determine how our police are run.","additional_details":"I believe it is time for change. We should consider placing responsibility for policing under an independent body, accountable directly to the people, with safeguards to ensure that it cannot be dominated by any one political party.\r\nOur police service should be independent, impartial and focused solely on protecting the public and serving our communities. Political influence should not determine how our police are run.","committee_note":null,"state":"rejected","signature_count":12,"created_at":"2026-08-28T07:33:32.399Z","updated_at":"2026-09-24T16:15:46.630Z","rejected_at":"2026-09-24T16:15:34.230Z","opened_at":null,"closed_at":null,"moderation_threshold_reached_at":"2026-08-28T14:40:50.000Z","response_threshold_reached_at":null,"government_response_at":null,"debate_threshold_reached_at":null,"debate_scheduled_on":null,"scheduled_debate_date":null,"debate_outcome_at":null,"creator_name":null,"rejection":{"code":"no-action","details":"Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.\r\n\r\nWe're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do because we're not sure what you mean by \"remove police from political control\".\r\n\r\nYou may be interested in this response to a written parliamentary question (UIN 111245, tabled on 5 February 2026), which explains the operational independence of police forces: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2026-02-05/111245\r\n\r\nThe National Police Chiefs’ Council is the co-ordinating body for all police forces in the UK and publishes policies and strategies on operational policing matters that are adopted by all police forces. (https://www.npcc.police.uk/)\r\n\r\nThe College of Policing is the professional body for policing in England and Wales and shares knowledge and good practice within the policing community. (https://www.college.police.uk/about)\r\n\r\nThe Home Secretary is responsible for allocating funding, setting national policing priorities and managing legislation relating to policing structures and powers. (https://www.gov.uk/government/ministers/secretary-of-state-for-the-home-department)\r\n\r\nLocal elected policing bodies (either a police and crime commissioner or a regional mayor) set budgets for each force, determine local priorities and scrutinise their chief constables.\r\n\r\nHM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) provides independent scrutiny of police performance and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is responsible for maintaining public confidence in the police complaints system in England and Wales. (https://hmicfrs.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/)\r\n\r\nYou can find out more about the structure of the police and where it derives its powers from in this House of Commons Library briefing note: https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-8582/\r\n\r\nYou could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the Government or Parliament to do to change the structure of the police."},"government_response":null,"debate":null,"departments":[],"topics":[]}}}