CORNERSTONES OF EXCELLENCE (FROM POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS - SELECTED READINGS - 2ND ED, 1978, BY PAUL F CROMWELL, JR AND GEORGE KEEFER - SEE NCJ-47600)

• NCJ Number: 47603
• Author(s): R MARK
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 9 pages
• Corporate Author: West Publishing Co
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: ADDRESS DELIVERED TO THE EXECUTIVE FORUM ON UPGRADING THE POLICE, WASHINGTON, D C, APRIL 13, 1976

Annotation

ORGANIZATIONAL AND POLICY FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO THE HIGH DEGREE OF PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE POLICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

IT IS SUGGESTED THAT FOUR MAJOR FACTORS ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF EXCELLENCE IN THE BRITISH POLICE: LIMITATION OF POLICE POWERS, A HIGH DEGREE OF ACCOUNTABILITY, FREEDOM FROM POLITICAL INTERFERENCE, AND THE ACCEPTABILITY OF THE LAWS TO BE ENFORCED. THERE ARE ABOUT 107,000 POLICE OFFICERS IN ENGLAND AND WALES. EXCEPT IN SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES THE POLICE ARE UNARMED AND A LONG TRADITION EXISTS OF ENFORCING THE LAWS BY AVOIDANCE OF FORCE. IN THEORY EVERY CITIZEN IN ENGLAND AND WALES IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENFORCING THE LAWS MADE BY PARLIAMENT AND HAS THE RIGHT TO INITIATE PROCEEDINGS; IN PRACTICE THIS DUTY HAS BY NECESSITY FALLEN ON PROFESSIONAL AND HIGHLY TRAINED POLICE PERSONNEL. THIS PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OPERATES WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN ADMINISTRATIVE FRAMEWORK WHICH INVOLVES THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE HOME OFFICE AND THE HOME SECRETARY AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE POLICE AUTHORITY. UNDER THIS THREEFOLD PARTNERSHIP, STANDARDS OF UNIFORMITY AND EFFICIENCY ARE ATTAINED WHILE STILL RETAINING THE ADVANTAGES OF LOCAL AUTONOMY, FLEXIBILITY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY. LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES ARE DELIVERED BY A NETWORK OF 43 LOCAL FORCES AND BY REGIONAL CRIME SQUADS WHICH PROVIDE A NATIONAL DETECTIVE NETWORK. THE NATIONAL POLICE COLLEGE PROVIDES AN ASCENDING SCALE OF COURSES OFFERING TRAINING FOR OFFICERS FROM THE YOUNG CONSTABLE OF OUTSTANDING PROMISE TO THE SENIOR OFFICER PREPARING FOR A MAJOR COMMAND POSITION. THE AUTHORITY OF EACH POLICE OFFICER EXTENDS TO THE WHOLE OF ENGLAND AND WALES AND INTERCHANGE OF OFFICERS AMONG THE 43 FORCES WITH RETENTION OF PAY AND PENSION RIGHTS IS COMMON. NO MATTER HOW EFFICIENT AND ACCOUNTABLE THE POLICE ARE, PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE REQUIRES THAT THEY ALSO BE EFFECTIVE; AND EFFECTIVENESS IS A FUNCTION NOT ONLY OF POLICE EFFORTS BUT OF THE LAWS AND OF THOSE WHO MAKE AND INTERPRET THEM. THE POLICE, MORE THAN THE LEGISLATURE OR THE COURTS, ARE IN THE POSITION TO IDENTIFY BEST THE SUCCESSES AND FAILURES WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND TO MAKE THEM KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC. BY DRAWING PUBLIC ATTENTION TO WEAKNESSES AND FAILURES WITHIN THE SYSTEM, THEY MAY BE REMEDIED AND SO FACILITATE JUSTICE. FINALLY THE NEED FOR PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE POLICE, AN EMPHASIS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUTH RATHER THAN TECHNICAL GUILT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS, AND AN INCREASE IN THE CERTAINTY OF DETECTION AND CONVICTION RATHER THAN ON SEVERITY OF PUNISHMENT ARE RECOMMENDED. (JAP)