NCJ Number
84703
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1982) Pages: 75-81
Date Published
1982
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The origins and extent of political involvement in police departments are examined, followed by a discussion of how much political control should exist in Australian police departments.
Abstract
The interaction between police and politics covers a wide spectrum of subjects, including finance, staffing, policies, laws, administration, operations, standards, and unionism. Western police forces have evolved over the centuries in accordance with the politics of the day as well as social conditions. The separation of powers doctrine underlies the existence of police forces which are separate from elected legislatures. To curb excessive police power, external controls over the police have also been developed. In Australia, most of the police agencies have evolved as independent statutory authorities of the various State governments. The recently formed Australian Federal Police has responsibilities to the central government. The police commissioner in each State is responsible for the superintendence, general control, and management of the police force. However, the Blackburn case has clearly established that the police forces are disciplined services under the direction and control of the executive government, which is accountable to Parliament. While ample justification exists for some political intervention into the organization of a police force, political pressure to obtain political gain regarding resource use is inappropriate. In addition, no justification exists for political interference into police operations, since impartiality of law enforcement would be lost. Australian States vary in their approaches to political control. Clear statements of the extent of control are vastly preferable to absence of controls or confusion regarding the degree of control. Footnotes are provided.