For What Reasons Did the Coalition Government Abolish Police Authorities in 2012? What Problems Do You Think Are Raised by the Introduction of Elected Police and Crime Commissioners?
For what reasons did the Coalition Government abolish police authorities in 2012? What problems do you think are raised by the introduction of elected Police and Crime Commissioners?
This essays objective is to take into consideration the rationale of the Coalition governments’ decision to replace police authorities with elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC). A critique and a background of the police authorities operations will be discussed and evaluated. A brief history of policing before police authorities were established will also be explored. Furthermore, the reasons why there was a radical reform to PCC’s will be debated and the problems that may arise.
Policing has always been a challenging issue and it most likely will always be challenging. Sir Robert Peel’s first principle of policing stated: “The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder” (Cited in Theresa, M 2010). There has been an attempt to always cling onto this. The only difference is how certain authorities or political groups approach it.
In the nineteenth century, autonomy and power were located within boroughs, locally. After a few attempts to try to centralise the police force and a few police corruption scandals which occurred in the 1950s, it was finally the time for the government to produce a centralised, professionalised group of senior police officers. In 1964, under the Police Act, these smaller, more manageable forces were to be known as “police authorities”. Their role was to ‘‘secure the maintenance and of an adequate and efficient police force for their area’’. (Citied in Williams, C 2003).
However, the police authorities are now being replaced by elected PCCs. The main purpose of this reform is to restore the drive for local policing priorities and the public by leading engagement with local policing partners. This will boost the empowerment of local communities in criminal justice affairs.
Beginning with a little history of how
This essays objective is to take into consideration the rationale of the Coalition governments’ decision to replace police authorities with elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC). A critique and a background of the police authorities operations will be discussed and evaluated. A brief history of policing before police authorities were established will also be explored. Furthermore, the reasons why there was a radical reform to PCC’s will be debated and the problems that may arise.
Policing has always been a challenging issue and it most likely will always be challenging. Sir Robert Peel’s first principle of policing stated: “The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder” (Cited in Theresa, M 2010). There has been an attempt to always cling onto this. The only difference is how certain authorities or political groups approach it.
In the nineteenth century, autonomy and power were located within boroughs, locally. After a few attempts to try to centralise the police force and a few police corruption scandals which occurred in the 1950s, it was finally the time for the government to produce a centralised, professionalised group of senior police officers. In 1964, under the Police Act, these smaller, more manageable forces were to be known as “police authorities”. Their role was to ‘‘secure the maintenance and of an adequate and efficient police force for their area’’. (Citied in Williams, C 2003).
However, the police authorities are now being replaced by elected PCCs. The main purpose of this reform is to restore the drive for local policing priorities and the public by leading engagement with local policing partners. This will boost the empowerment of local communities in criminal justice affairs.
Beginning with a little history of how
References: • Blair, L. (2011), ‘‘Speech in the House of Lords 27 April’’, HL Debs Session 2010-11, Vol 727, Col 137 • Blunkett, David (2003) ‘Civil Renewal: A New Agenda’ , London: Home Office • Brogden, M (1982), “The Police: Autonomy and Consent”, London: Academic Press. • Emsley, C (1996), “The English Police: a Political and Social History”, Harlow: Longman. • Flanagan, Sir Ronnie (Feb 2008) The Review of Policing: Final Report. London: Home Office • Garland, D (2001), “The Culture of Control.” Oxford: Oxford University Press. • Home Affairs Committee, (2008). ‘‘Policing in the twenty-first century’’, Seventh Report, Session 2007/08, House of Commons Paper 364, TSO, London. • Joyce, P. (2011). Police reform: from police authorities to police and crime commissioners. Sage, London. • Loveday, B. (1994), “The Police and Magistrates Courts Act”. Policing 10(4), pp 221-233 • Lustgarten, L • The Coalition Manifesto: “Our Programme for Government” (May 2010) • Theresa, M (2010) • Home Affairs Committee (2010), ‘‘Policing: police and crime commissioners’’, Second Report, Sessions 2010/11, House of Commons Paper 511, TSO, London. Bibliography • David Cameron speech (19 July 2010) “Our Big Society Agenda” • Home Office (2003), “The role of police authorities in public engagement” Date Accessed: 3 December 2012 http://library.npia.police.uk/docs/hordsolr/rdsolr3703.pdf • Loader, I (2008) • The Policing Pledge (2008). London: Home Office Date Accessed: 1 December 2012