A REPORT published today into Notts police has criticised its "weak" leadership.

The findings from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) come after a 'capability review' team was brought in to look into the force.

Notts Chief Constable Julia Hodson said this afternoon she accepted the review's findings.

She added: "I think I need to be a more visible leader, going out to speak to officers on the ground and the public. They will see more of me in the local communities."

She also said she was confident of her long-term future as Notts Chief Constable.

The review team looked at ten different areas – three on leadership, three on strategy and four on delivery of performance.

Notts Police Authority, which oversees the work of the force, is assessed as having "significant weaknesses in capability for current and future delivery that require urgent action" in nine of the ten areas.

Notts Police itself was identified as having significant weaknesses in four out of the ten.

The report says there should be an additional Assistant Chief Constable post within the force; and new police authority leadership.

Its report states: "The review team was impressed by the commitment of individuals in the authority and the force at all levels. Performance continues to improve.

"However, the review found that leadership and governance in both organisations is weak and as a result performance is not improving as quickly or as sustainably as it must."

The capability review have recommended seven areas for action. They are:

New police authority leadership.

New police authority secretariat leadership.

Cohesive chief officer team for Notts Police - three Assistant Chief Constable posts, as opposed to the current two posts.

Improved strategy, business processes and governance for Notts Police and Notts Police Authority.

More effective partnerships in the city and county.

More support, advice and assistance from HMIC, the Association of Police Authorities, the Association of Chief Police Officers and the National Policing Improvement Agency to "urgently provide" more advice and assistance to the authority and police force to help implement findings in the review.

Time and space for the police authority and the force to deliver the review's findings.

The review also found that the leadership of the police authority is ineffective and was not seen as adding value to policing in Notts.

The strategic purpose and direction of Notts Police lacks clarity and does not drive activity, the report also found.

It describes Chief Constable Julia Hodson as a "popular and respected figure who is seen as an individual of high personal integrity and a good role model. Her personal style and the culture change she is seeking is good and is particularly welcomed by partners and local communities."

However, the performance of the Chief Officer Team as a whole is ineffective.

It says the Chief Officer Team needs to be "substantially enhanced".

Commenting on the findings, Nottingham City Council leader Coun Jon Collins: "It clearly comes to some very difficult conclusions for the authority and the police.

"We are absolutely clear there is a huge challenge in making the police authority fit for purpose. We want to work effectively with the Chief Constable to raise the performance of Notts Police force. We want to be compared with our most similar forces in a way that brings down crime far faster and allows us to catch up with and exceed them."

On plans for three Assistant Chief Constables, he added: "I think it is a sensible move, the report highlights the weaknesses in the current team."

Coun Collins said he and Notts County Council leader, Coun Kay Cutts, would be working together to help the force speed up performance improvement.

He added: "There is no political differences on this issue."

Coun Cutts said: "The county council view this as something we need to resolve quickly - the aim to hold to account the police force and the police authority.

"We accept the findings of the review panel. We need to see the police action plan that is going to be agreed and we will be holding them to account on that."

At a special meeting of the police authority today, city council leader Jon Collins was appointed chairman of a new "Change Management Board" for the authority.

Joining Coun Collins on the board will be the chairman of the authority, the vice chairman and chairs of the authority's performance, community engagement, professional standards and human resources committees. Notts Chief Constable Julia Hodson has offered to assist their work.

Papers presented at today's authority meeting describe the CMB's role as "improving collective leadership across the police authority committee structure".

The 'capability review' team, which included chief constables from other forces, carried out its review last month after concern in Whitehall at its longstanding failings.

Notts Chief Constable Julia Hodson is due to give her reaction to the report this afternoon.

Coun John Clarke, the chairman of the police authority, announced his resignation at the end of last month — a few days after the review team completed its work.

In December the interim chief executive of the authority quit after two months in the job. David Wilcock criticised a "lack of capability" among key staff, a poor staffing structure and an "unprofessional" approach.

At a meeting of Notts Police Authority today Nottingham City Council leader Jon Collins was elected chairman of a new "Change Management Board" for the authority.