NCJ Number
27972
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 44 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1975) Pages: 22-27
Date Published
1975
Length
6 pages
Annotation
THIS IS THE REPORT OF AN AMERICAN POLICE OFFICER FROM MICHIGAN UPON HIS RETURN FROM ENGLAND, WHERE HE WAS INVOLVED IN A FORMAL COURSE STUDYING THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OF THE UNITED KINGDOM.
Abstract
A BRIEF LOOK AT THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLICE IN ENGLAND IS PROVIDED, FROM ANCIENT TIMES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROFESSIONAL POLICE AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SCOTLAND YARD. DIFFERENCES IN STYLES OF POLICING AND IN SOCIETAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROLE OF THE LAW IN SOCIAL CONTROLS IN THE U.S. AND BRITAIN ARE DISCUSSED. THE AUTHOR FEELS THAT THE ENGLISH POLICE POSSESS A HIGHER DEGREE OF EMPATHY, COMPASSION, AND TOLERANCE FOR THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS, AND CONVERSELY, THAT THE PUBLIC IN ENGLAND IS MORE RESPECTFUL AND COOPERATIVE WITH POLICE OFFICERS. A BRITISH TELEVISION PROGRAM CALLED 'POLICE 5,' IN WHICH GIVES VIEWERS INFORMATION ABOUT UNSOLVED CRIMES AND ENCOURAGES THEM TO REPORT ANY KNOWLEDGE THEY MAY HAVE ABOUT THOSE CRIMES, HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE ENGLISH POLICE DO NOT CARRY FIREARMS AND THAT THEY ENJOY A MUCH BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR NEWS MEDIA. THE CONSOLIDATION OF POLICE FORCES IN THE UNITED KINGDOM IS ALSO ADDRESSED. OTHER ASPECTS OF BRITISH LAW ENFORCEMENT EXAMINED BY THE AUTHOR INCLUDE FORENSIC LABORATORY SERVICES, HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY, DRUGS, BOMBINGS, WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE METROPOLITAN POLICE CADET CORPS, AND POLICE TRAINING AND EDUCATION. IN CONCLUSION, THE AUTHOR FELT THAT THE MOST PREDOMINANT DIFFERENCE BETEEN THE ENGLISH AND AMERICAN POLICE WAS THAT THE ENGLISH POLICE TEND TO ADDRESS DIFFICULT POLICE ISSUES IN A MORE RELAXED MANNER, OVERREACTING LESS OFTEN THAN AMERICAN POLICE.