NCJ Number
73638
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 53 Issue: 4 Dated: October-December 1980 Pages: 324-339
Date Published
October 1980
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This is the first part of an analysis of the unique constitutional status of the Metropolitan Police in London. The question of adequate control of the metropolitan force is addressed.
Abstract
The Metropolitan Police is the largest police force in Great Britain. It was formed in 1929 to police London and is directly answerable to the central Government. Since no local authority has any statutory responsibility for the metropolitan force, the question of adequate control of the force has arisen. Recommendations have therefore been made to extend the functions of the Home Office inspectorate to cover the Metropolitan Police. However, this might prove confusing since the Home Secretary appoints the Commissioner of the metropolitan force and is responsible by statute for the force as well. Nevertheless, the force's resistance to outside influence and investigation contributed to the development of some practices which were exposed in court in the 1960's. As a result, the independent Complaints Investigation Bureau has been established and has improved the effectiveness of the controls. The Metropolitan Police should preserve its constitutional position, especially since the increase in the problems of policing the capital city require central Government control over peacekeeping forces. Information on the structure and history of the Metropolitan Police and footnotes are included.