NCJ Number
62689
Journal
Police Review Volume: 87 Issue: 4512 Dated: (JULY 13, 1979) Pages: 1094-1099
Date Published
1979
Length
5 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF THE RESULTS OF THE POLICE REVIEW'S QUESTIONNAIRE ON ROUTINE POLICE PROCEDURES REVEALS VARIED ANSWERS, AND CONFIRMS THAT THE AVERAGE POLICE OFFICER CAN LOOK BEYOND THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE.
Abstract
A QUESTIONNAIRE COVERING SOME OF THE ISSUES TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE ROYAL COMMISSION ON CRIMINAL PROCEDURE WAS DISTRIBUTED TO RANK AND FILE POLICEMAN, DETECTIVE SERGEANTS, INSPECTORS, CONSTABLES AND SUPERVISORS. REPLIES CAME FROM MOST OF THE ENGLISH FORCES, SOME OF THE WELSH AND THREE OF THE SCOTTISH. THE ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ARE SUMMARIZED ACCORDING TO THE PERCENTAGE AGREEING OR DISAGREEING WITH THE PROPOSAL, AND INCLUDE SOME OF THE PERSONAL REMARKS WRITTEN ON THE RETURNED FORMS. THE QUESTIONS CONCERN MATTERS BEFORE THE POLICE IN THE USUAL PURSUIT OF DUTY, INCLUDING POWERS TO STOP SUSPECTS, SEARCH PROCEDURES, THE ADVISABILITY OF TAPING INTERVIEWS WITH PRISONERS, QUESTIONS OF ARREST, PROSECUTIONS CONDUCTED BY A SOLICITOR, AND OTHER ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE. THE RESPONDENTS WERE MOST CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEMS IMPOSED BY THE BAIL ACT AND THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PERSONS ACT. A TOTAL OF 300 OF THE REPLIES INDICATED DISSATISFACTION WITH THE EASE WITH WHICH HARDENED CRIMNALS WERE GIVEN BAIL AND WITH THE LACK OF MEANS TO DEAL WITH JUVENILE OFFENDERS. THERE WAS AN ALMOST UNIVERSAL APPEAL TO REVISE THE JUDGES' RULES. THE TEXT IS ACCOMPANIED BY CARTOONS.