POLICE ORGANIZATION (FROM NEW POLICE SURGEON - A PRACTICAL GUDE TO CLINICAL FORENSIC MEDICINE, 1978, BY H S BURGES AND J E HILTON - SEE NCJ-61742)

• NCJ Number: 61744
• Author(s): D V NEEDHAM
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 39 pages
• Corporate Author: Hutchinson Benham Ltd
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND ORGANIZATION OF THE POLICE FORCES OF THE UNITED KINGDOM ARE DISCUSSED FOR VIEWING THE POLICE SURGEON'S ROLE IN ITS PROPER CONTEXT.

Abstract

THE MODERN POLICE SYSTEM OF ENGLAND AND WALES WAS ESTABLISHED BETWEEN THE YEARS 1829 AND 1856; LONDON'S METROPOLITAN POLICE WAS ESTABLISHED IN A TIME OF CRIME, DISORDER, AND AN INEFFECTIVE PENAL SYSTEM. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POLICE INCLUDE MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER, PROTECTING PERSONS AND PROPERTY, PREVENTING CRIME, DETECTING CRIMINALS, AND ADVISING LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON TRAFFIC QUESTIONS. THE FOUR PRIMARY DIVISIONS OF AUTHORITY INCLUDE THE POLICE OFFICER, THE CHIEF CONSTABLE, THE POLICE AUTHORITY, AND THE HOME SECRETARY. REGULAR POLICE OFFICERS ARE APPOINTED BY THE CHIEF CONSTABLE UNDER WHOSE ULTIMATE OPERATIONAL COMMAND THEY ARE EMPLOYED. THEY WORK IN PREMISES OF VEHICLES PROVIDED BY THE POLICE AUTHORITY. THE HOME SECRETARY DETERMINE THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THEY WERE APPOINTED AND SERVE. SIZES OF PROVINCIAL FORCES IN ENGLAND AND WALES VARY FROM UNDER 1,000 THOUSAND TO OVER 7,000; ALL ARE SIMILARLY STRUCTURED, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE CHIEF CONSTABLE, INTO FORCE HEADQUARTERS, DIVISIONS, SUBDIVISIONS, AND SECTIONS. SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE FORCES INCLUDE EMPLOYMENT OF CIVILIANS AND REGIONAL CRIME SQUADS. POLICE PROFESSIONAL TRAINING MAY BE DIVIDED INTO THREE MAIN CATEGORIES, DEPENDING UPON THE COMPLEXITY OF DUTIES PERFOMED, WHICH INCLUDE GENERAL, SPECIALIST, AND HIGHER. PROMOTION IS DETERMINED THROUGH QUALIFYING EXAMINATION. THE INTERESTS OF INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS ARE REPRESENTED BY POLICE REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION. THE POLICE SURGEON MAY BE CALLED UPON BY ANY OF THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH CASES INVOLVING ILLNESS, INJURY, OR PENSION OF AN OFFICER. IN SCOTLAND, THE POLICE ORGANIZATION IS MUCH THE SAME AS IN ENGLAND AND WALES; THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE IS THAT SCOTTISH POLICE DO NOT RESOLVE THE QUESTION OF WHETHER TO PROSECUTE, THEY MERELY REPORT THE FACTS TO THE PROCURATORS FISCAL. NORTHERN IRELAND, STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO BRING THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ROYAL ULSTER CONSTABULARY INTO LINE WITH THE REST OF THE UNITED KINGDOM BUT THE EFFORTS HAVE BEEN THWARTED BY CIRCUMSTANCES. (LWM)