Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition 2026

This week (2-6 March) marks the third anniversary of national Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition – where police forces and policing organisations come together to showcase the breadth, depth and importance of police staff roles.

This year’s event explores the theme of ‘Police Staff: Past, Present and Future’ – reflecting on how the role of police staff has changed and grown over the years, celebrating the incredible contributions that police staff make to the delivery of operational policing today and recognising their continued importance to the future of policing. The week of celebration once again coincides with the National Senior Police Staff Network (SPSN) Conference which will see police staff teams and individuals recognised for their exceptional contributions at the annual National Police Staff Awards.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, NPCC Chair said:

“Police staff up and down the country play a significant role in delivering policing to our communities and keeping people safe. This week is a chance to say thank you for the vital contribution police staff make.

"From taking calls from the public, working in our custody suites, investigating crime, supporting victims and witnesses, patrolling neighbourhoods, training officers and staff, managing our technology, fleet and equipment, capturing forensic evidence, the list of roles carried out by our police staff colleagues goes on and on and has never been broader.

"That breadth and depth also extends to the leadership of policing, with many members of police staff in roles that guide the effective delivery of modern policing as well as shaping its future.

"As policing continues to evolve we know that police staff will continue to play a critical part in keeping the public safe, preventing crime and building trust and confidence in our communities.”

Assistant Chief Officer Gemma Stannard, Head of the NPCC’s Strategic Hub and Alexis Poole, Devon and Cornwall Police’s Assistant Chief Officer – People co-founded and jointly chair the SPSN. They said:

“This week we celebrate ‘Police Staff: Past, Present and Future’. Police staff have been a significant part of the rich history of policing for well over a century and, as society, technology and crime has changed, so too has the role of police staff – bringing their diverse range of skills, experience and insights to deliver the policing mission.

"As part of this week’s celebrations we are delighted that the Senior Police Staff Network Conference will once again host the annual Police Staff Awards, recognising police staff teams and individuals who have shown exceptional dedication, bravery, pride and professionalism in their roles. Thank you to all our police staff colleagues for everything you do in delivering policing each and every day.”

Jo Noakes, Chief Operating Officer, College of Policing

“I always look forward to the Police Staff Week of Celebration and Recognition, as it’s a real highlight for me. In my role, I get to see how dedicated and professional staff are, whether I’m at the College of Policing or working elsewhere.

“Police staff keep the public safe and support frontline officers, and also play a vital role in developing leadership across the service by setting national standards.

“What really inspires me is the clear pride they take in what they do, and it’s a privilege to work alongside such committed colleagues.”

APCC Chair and PCC for Merseyside, Emily Spurrell, said:

“Police staff are at the heart of keeping our communities safe, bringing the specialist skills, critical support and technical know‑how that modern policing relies on.

“Whether working in custody suites, managing vehicle fleets, supporting victims or delivering the essential functions that keep forces running, their contribution is fundamental to an effective police service.

“Today’s policing also relies on an expanding range of highly skilled professionals whose digital and technical knowledge is critical to tackling crime. Analysts examining digital devices, teams supporting facial recognition deployments, drone specialists, data protection officers and many others are helping policing meet the challenges of a technology‑driven world.

“Our police service is continually evolving, but the professionalism and dedication of police staff working behind the scenes remains constant.

“In Police Staff Week, I’m delighted on behalf of Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales, to celebrate, recognise and thank them for their invaluable work.”

Crime and Policing Minister Sarah Jones said:

“Police staff across the country devote themselves every day to keeping our communities safe, and this week is about celebrating the vital role they play.

“Their dedication, professionalism, and quiet commitment underpin every critical function of policing.

“I want to thank them for their remarkable service - we are all safer because of it.”