Police forces are facing one of their biggest crises in living memory, a report finds.
However, he noted difficulties in vetting new recruits and the inexperience of a workforce which lost many established officers during David Cameron's time as prime minister.
"Two forces did from the start what they should have done," Mr Cooke said. "That should have been 43 forces."The chances of these things happening would have been lessened had we had those powers at an earlier time. "These include systemic failings in policing and a totally dysfunctional criminal-justice system, with more criminals getting away with crimes, victims let down, vital neighbourhood policing devastated, record numbers of forces in special measures, and confidence in policing falling.
"But there is lots more to do and I equally share his concern that policing needs strong leaders, a greater focus on the basics and issues that matter most to the public - and to be more visible in communities.
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