NCJ Number
57198
Date Published
1978
Length
29 pages
Annotation
THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICIES AND PRACTICES IN THE SELECTION AND TRAINING OF LEADERS FOR THE BRITISH POLICE SERVICE IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL AND ASSESSED.
Abstract
IN 1939, ONLY 4 OF THE 42 COUNTY CHIEF CONSTABLES IN ENGLAND HAD BEEN IN THE POLICE SERVICE THROUGHOUT THEIR CAREERS. THE SITUATION WAS REVERSED IN THE CITY AND BOROUGH FORCES, WHERE ONLY 6 OF THE 116 CHIEF CONSTABLES HAD BEEN RECRUITED DIRECTLY INTO A SENIOR POST. BY 1965, NEARLY ALL SENIOR POSITIONS THROUGHOUT THE SERVICE WERE FILLED BY PROFESSIONAL POLICE OFFICERS WHO STARTED THEIR CAREERS AS CONSTABLES. TO EXPLORE HOW THESE AND RELATED CHANGES CAME ABOUT, A REVIEW IS PRESENTED OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING THE ESTABLISHMENT AND DEMISE OF LORD TRENCHARD'S METROPOLITAN POLICE COLLEGE AT HENDON, THE BIRTH OF THE POLICE COLLEGE (AT BRAMSHILL SINCE 1960), AND THE INTRODUCTION IN 1962 OF THE COLLEGE'S SPECIAL COURSE (A 12-MONTH PROGRAM DESIGNED TO ENHANCE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEW RECRUITS AND YOUNG OFFICERS WITH LEADERSHIP POTENTIAL). COMPARISONS ARE DRAWN BETWEEN THE HENDON PROGRAM AND THE SPECIAL COURSE IN TERMS OF OBJECTIVES, SELECTION METHODS, AND PROGRAM CONTENT. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO THE LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE HENDON PROGRAM, WHICH GENERATED CONSIDERABLE ANIMOSITY WITHIN THE POLICE SERVICE BY CREATING AN OFFICER ELITE. THE BIGGEST PROBLEM OF THE CURRENT SYSTEM OF PROMOTION IS SAID TO BE THE LIMITED NUMBER OF TOP-LEVEL POSITIONS AVAILABLE TO LEADERSHIP COURSE GRADUATES SEEKING THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED. SUPPORTING DATA AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)