A sector-wide improvement programme, delivered by and for policing, in collaboration with CIPFA. Our goal: to strengthen resources and enhance capacity and capability, while building resilience across the board.
AFEP III training and events
AFEP III provides training and development opportunities for both the finance and non-finance community. Find out more about AFEP training and events.
What is the AFEP programme?
The AFEP programme is designed to ensure that police finance delivers value for money in policing. Shifting focus from mere affordability, it aims to enhance thinking, build capacity, and strengthen resilience. By improving financial and resource management, the programme empowers effective decision-making and value-driven outcomes across all aspects of police and crime activity.
In times of both challenge and opportunity, AFEP supports you and your teams at every level, with dedicated assistance for S151 Officers, to embed strong governance and assurance practices. As a joint programme with PACCTS and NPCC finance, working with key stakeholders like the Home Office, HMICFRS, NPCC, APCC, APACE and the College of Policing, the programme will horizon-scan, unify the voice of policing, and facilitate the sharing of best practices nationwide. The result: informed decision-making, adaptable teams, and strategic leadership to navigate financial and resource challenges.
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Programme themes
CIPFA will partner and facilitate the AFEP programme through our three core pillars:
- CIPFA Thinks: Providing thought leadership and influencing the sector through policy and guidance.
- CIPFA Develops: Equipping and developing the sector and its people to meet current and future challenges.
- CIPFA Supports: Providing advice and practical help through our skilled advisors.
Benefits of the programme
- Exclusive membership for finance professionals in policing.
- Access to a wide range of training and events including the joint DOF/PACCTS seminar and the renowned CFO retreat/summit.
- The programme is developed by policing for policing and leverages the power and reach of CIPFA, including industry, policy and economic experts as well as local, national and global networking.
- The programme provides innovation through interaction, collaboration and thought leadership to broaden knowledge and deepen insight.
- Provision of dedicated police data analysis and benchmarking; CIPFA data analysts and consistent methodology.
- Access to advisory services to support you in addressing workforce capability, development, financial management, property and governance.
- As the only training provider to specialise specifically in public financial management, through the programme CIPFA offers discounted training, apprenticeship and recruitment support.
In association with:
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Testimonials
Nicola Allen
“The power of this programme is the combined voice of policing across both forces and OPCCs. The opportunity to have time to think strategically on national issues and to use best practice across the sector provides tangible benefits for its members. In these challenging economic times the support to strengthen resilience helps us to navigate these challenges together”.
Nicola Allen, Treasurer for the OPCC, Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly/President of PACCTS
Paul Sanford
“AFEP IV represents a unique opportunity for those involved in police finance to identify better ways of working which will improve governance and deliver better value for money. The collaborative nature of the programme ensures that the best thinking from across the policing sector is shared with those who need to know it most.”
Paul Sanford NPCC Finance Coordination Committee Chair, Chief Constable Norfolk
Luke Edwards
“The AFEP programme is strategically important to the Home Office. It gives us the opportunity to engage with both forces and OPCCs on the emerging national issues, and gives them the opportunity to help shape the response. It also allows us an unrivalled time to come together as a single team to share different perspectives and create networks and work to improve the overall system.”
Luke Edwards, Home Office, Director of Strategy, Capability and Resources, Public Safety Group
Networking and events
Objective:
- Lead in sharing best practices across national forces and encourage collaborative learning.
Programme initiatives:
- Host at least three face to face networking events for both CFOs and the wider finance community eg CFO retreat/summit, leaders networking roundtables, joint DOF/PACCTS seminar.
- Provide a platform for members to share challenges and develop problem solving masterclasses with CIPFA industry experts.
- Provide access to a critical friend/mentor for members that require individual/national support, as and when needed, for example a hybrid of local and national consultancy approach.
- Build a strong networking group for future leaders including a range of tailored events, training and group forums.
- Provide a platform for members to share strategic challenges and develop problem solving masterclasses together with CIPFA industry experts such as “delivering a viable and sustainable police service from an underfunded position.”
Policy and guidance
Objective:
- Serve as a voice for policing in finance, governance, and policy, providing ongoing support. Influence and respond to national direction of travel and promote and uphold good governance and assurance practices across policing.
Programme initiatives:
- Support the policing sector to address challenges and develop policy and guidance in public financial management, reporting, governance and assurance.
- Develop thought leadership content as well as horizon scanning bulletins on the landscape of policing while working closely with policing stakeholders.
- Provide cross sector learning opportunities from other public sector organisations including local authorities, health and defence eg guidance for CFOs following section 114 notices.
- Increase the presence of policing in public finance eg PF live conference, PF magazine, podcasts etc.
Data and insight
Objective:
- Harness data analytics to showcase and deliver clear value for money, making insights accessible to all.
Programme initiatives:
- Develop practical data driven insight workshops using police data dashboards for both finance and non finance professionals.
- Provide a complementary source of insight to HMICFRS PEEL assessments, the Productivity Review and other operational data sources.
- Lead on sharing best practices between forces for collaborative learning.
- Partner with leading experts on ongoing hot topics such as digital transformation, sustainability and fleet decarbonisation
Workforce capability and capacity
Objective:
- Support strategic workforce capability requirements by equipping police staff with the skills and capacity to meet value for money challenges.
Programme initiatives:
- Provide learning opportunities for different audiences from entry level to CFOs, for example apprenticeships to CFO leadership academy.
- Provide guidance on future workforce plans to identify gaps in the workforce and build required capabilities proactively.
- Improve business and financial acumen across the policing sector through tailored training, support, roundtables and interactive events.
- Develop business management skills for operational policing leaders as well as finance professionals.
Contact us
For AFEP IV programme enquiries please email hello@cipfa.org.