Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Lord John Stevens, the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner, is to lead a sweeping review of policing for Labour, the shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will tell the conference today.
The party will attempt to put ministers on the defensive over law and order by announcing the recruitment of Lord Stevens, once courted by the Tories to stand as London Mayor.
Since he stepped down as Commissioner, he has headed inquiries into the death of Princess Diana and into alleged corruption in English football. He also wrote a regular column in the News Of The World, in which he called for the death penalty for the murder of police officers.
His in-tray could include whether the current structure of 44 police forces in England and Wales needs to be overhauled and whether the rank structure should be changed.
Labour's move comes as tensions grow between the Home Office and police officers over cuts to budgets and planned reforms to their pay and conditions. Ms Cooper will accuse the Government of sowing "chaos and confusion" in police ranks.
She will tell the Liverpool conference: "Now is the time for a serious vision for the future of policing, a Royal Commission or heavyweight independent review. The Government has refused to do so. So we will."
She will also urge the Government to abandon plans for elected police commissioners and moves to reduce the numbers on the DNA database.
Sadiq Khan, the shadow Justice Secretary, will commit a Labour government to introduce a "victims' law", including the guaranteed release of a body to relatives within 28 days and the promise that they will be warned by judges in advance about distressing court evidence.
The move has been recommended by Louise Casey, the Government's Victims Commissioner, but has yet to be adopted by ministers.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments