NCJ Number
62272
Date Published
1979
Length
11 pages
Annotation
THE COMMISSIONER OF THE LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE DISCUSSES THE EXPERIENCES OF THE LONDON POLICE CONCERNING INCIDENTS OF KIDNAPPING AND TERRORISM AND THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA IN RESOLVING THESE SITUATIONS.
Abstract
BRITAIN DIFFERS FROM ALL OTHER COUNTRIES IN THAT THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT RESTS UPON THE POLICE, NOT UPON THE GOVERNMENT OR A SYSTEM OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. THERE ARE 51 POLICE FORCES IN GREAT BRITAIN, OF WHICH 8 ARE IN SCOTLAND. THE 43 FORCES IN ENGLAND AND WALES HAVE AUTONOMY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHIN THEIR OWN DISTRICTS. IN ANALYZING SERIOUS MISTAKES IN PAST CASES, AUTHORITIES DETERMINED THAT A KEY FACTOR IN HOSTAGE AND KIDNAPPING SITUATIONS WAS THE PRESS, TELEVISION, AND RADIO. KIDNAPPING, TERRORISM, AND HIJACKING WITHOUT INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL SIGNIFICANCE ARE ORDINARY CRIMES; TO COMBAT THEM, BRITISH POLICE ARE ABLE TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN TACTICS AND MAKE THEIR OWN OPERATIONAL DECISIONS. THUS, THE POLICE TRY TO AGREE WITH THE MEDIA ABOUT HOW THEIR MUTUAL INTERESTS AND THOSE OF THE PUBLIC CAN BEST BE SERVED. IN 1972 A CODE OF PROCEDURE WAS AGREED UPON BY THE LONDON METROPOLITAN POLICE AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THE PRESS. THE NEW CODE RECOGNIZED THE NEED TO REDUCE SECRECY IN POLICE AFFAIRS IN ORDER TO PROMOTE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE. IN CERTAIN CASES INVOLVING KIDNAPPING AND HOSTAGE TAKING, THE PRESS WERE ASKED TO AGREE VOLUNTARILY NOT TO REVEAL THE INCIDENT UNTIL THE SITUATION WAS RESOLVED. ALTHOUGH THE PRESS FEAR THAT SUCH AGREEMENTS MAY LEAD TO AN EXTENSION OF THE PRACTICE TO POLITICAL INCIDENTS OR OTHER EVENTS, THIS IS UNLIKELY IN BRITAIN SO LONG AS THE POLICE RETAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH CRIME AND PROSECUTIONS. IF POLICE WERE SUBJECT TO POLITICAL CONTROL, THIS CENSORSHIP WOULD BE MORE DIFFICULT. ALTHOUGH ALL SOCIETIES ARE VULNERABLE TO TERRORISM, ONLY A COMBINATION OF POLICE, PUBLIC, AND THE PRESS, ACTING CONTINUOUSLY IN CONCERT, WILL CONTAIN OR DEFEAT IT. (PRG)