Recommendation ANG-16: Improve conditions for female officers
From Angiolini Inquiry Part 1 Report, published 29 February 2024.
Recommendation
By September 2024, the College of Policing and the National Police Chiefs' Council should review and examine the conditions of female officers and staff in order to encourage more women to join the police and progress in policing careers. To ensure success, this should include a review of: a. working conditions that do not address the realities of modern working lives, including families where both parents are officers and share caring responsibilities; b. processes, training and refreshers for officers returning from parental leave; and c. kit, equipment and facilities designed largely by and for men.
In brief (written by this site)
The Inquiry asked the College of Policing to review conditions for female personnel. In October 2026, the Cabinet Office reported that the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) Gender Portfolio continues work addressing female working conditions and uniform decisions, though parental leave processes are not mentioned (Cabinet Office, Oct 2026). Earlier, in December 2025, the Angiolini Inquiry found varying progress and disagreements across forces, noting that commitment to workplace equity for women still needed improvement (Rt Hon. Lady Elish Angiolini LT DBE PC KC, Dec 2025).
AI-generated summary of the record on this page, checked by a second model and automatic checks, 16 Oct 2026. The record below is the sources' own words.
Government response
The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) and College of Policing has at the same time committed to addressing the remaining recommendations in Lady Angiolini's report concerning police culture and increasing the robustness of police vetting.
Earlier statement from Home Office (1)
However, the report today highlights the need for further action and the government, in tandem with policing partners, will thoroughly consider the recommendations made by Lady Elish and respond in full in due course.
Delivery
Cabinet Office says in progress (5 October 2026)
The NPCC Gender Porftolio continues to progress activity focused on improving working conditions for women in policing and addressing barriers to recruitment, retention and progression.
The NPCC Gender Porftolio continues to progress activity focused on improving working conditions for women in policing and addressing barriers to recruitment, retention and progression.
Representation at the National Uniform Board ensures there is a consistent voice from a recommendation 16 perspective across national uniform decisions.
From: Angiolini Inquiry Recommendations Dashboard, October 2026 (data file)
Site note: The dashboard reports recommendation 16 by its sub-recommendations, a to c. Each paragraph is one sub-recommendation's cell, in that order.
What other bodies have found
In their own words. These do not change the delivery statement above.
Angiolini Inquiry (2 December 2025)
1.50 Summary of progress: As with Recommendation 15, forces are showing varying levels of progress and disagreements about the level of implementation against this recommendation, indicating that commitment to ensuring provision and equity for women in the workplace still needs to improve.
Responsible bodies
Themes and tags
Who has spoken
- Home Office
Response - Cabinet Office
Delivery statement - Angiolini Inquiry
Finding