The White Paper also proposes establishing a new National Police Service, which would be established as a police force and led by a chief officer called the National Police Commissioner.  

This new body would lead on serious and organised crime, counter terrorism and other national policing priorities as well as enabling services such as national technology and IT services.  The new body would also incorporate the College of Policing and the National Crime Agency as well as the National Co-ordination Centre which plays a key role in policing’s response to public order and emergencies. 

The transfer of different units and functions to the National Police Service is expected to take place in phases and the White Paper indicates that the transition of major capabilities such as serious and organised crime and counter terror policing would to take place “early in the next Parliament”.

Further details on structure, funding and governance of the National Police Service are not yet clear. 

Our annual survey which helps inform the Commissioner’s decisions about the Devon & Cornwall Policing budget and priorities this year asked for residents’ views on how they would like to see policing structured in the future. You can read the results of the survey in the Commissioner’s update report to the January 2026 Police and Crime Panel and this media release provides a summary of the results.