NCJ Number
57798
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 52 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL-JUNE 1979) Pages: 126-139
Date Published
1978
Length
14 pages
Annotation
THERE IS A NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE ROLE OF POLICE WITH SOCIETY. THIS BRITISH ARTICLE PRESENTS A PROPOSED DECLARATION ON THE POLICE AND THE REASONS SUCH A STATEMENT IS NEEDED.
Abstract
WITH A RISING CRIME RATE AND INCREASED ACTS OF TERRORISM WITHIN EUROPE, SOME RECOGNITION OF THE PROPER ROLE OF THE POLICE WITHIN SOCIETY MUST BE MADE. THE POLICE HAVE A UNIQUE ROLE WITHIN SOCIETY IN STRESSING THAT HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS CAN ONLY BE FULLY ENJOYED IN A PEACEFUL SOCIETY WHERE THERE IS ORDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY. THE POLICE PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN ACHIEVING THE ORDER AND PUBLIC SAFETY OF A PEACEFUL, DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY. BUT, IT IS NECESSARY FOR THE RULES OF CONDUCT FOR POLICE TO BE PROPERLY DEFINED IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DO THEIR WORK. THE EUROPEAN SYSTEMS FOR THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS WILL BE STRENGTHENED WHEN THERE ARE RULES CONCERNING THE PROFESSIONAL ETHICS OF THE POLICE. GENERALLY, EXAMINATION OF THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN A DEMOCRATIC SOCIETY CONCENTRATES ON LIMITATION OF THE POLICE POWER IN ORDER TO SAFEGUARD THE RIGHTS OF THE CITIZENS. BUT, AS THE POLICE FORCE EXISTS IN ORDER TO STABALIZE SOCIETY, THE OTHER SIDE OF THE QUESTION MUST BE EXAMINED. IT IS NOT EASY TO STRIKE THIS BALANCE, SO A WRITTEN DECLARATION OF THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IS NEEDED. EXTANT WRITTEN DECLARATIONS ARE NOT SUFFICIENT TO THE NEEDS OF CURRENT EUROPEAN POLICE FORCES. THE DRAFT DECLARATION IS PRESENTED, WITH COMMENTARY. THE BASIC TONE OF THE DRAFT DECLARATION IS A DESIRE TO BALANCE DUE AND PROPER RESPECT FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE INDIVIDUAL WITH THE NEED TO PRESERVE THE RIGHTS OF SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. (KCP)