NCJ Number
129979
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 64 Issue: 2 Dated: (April-June 1991) Pages: 96-103
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
There have been three basic constraints on policing in Great Britain over the past century: changes in the law and judicial interpretation, public opinion, and political interference in the form of various pressures applied by local and Federal governments.
Abstract
Legislation passed in the 1830's put first the metropolitan (London) police and then regional police departments under some measure of central control and uniformity. The 1856 County and Borough Police Act reinforced the concept of central control, although the police forces were still managed locally. The government used, on several occasions, the withholding of its financial assistance as a means of exercising its control; the government's financial involvement in local police affairs was significantly expanded by the Police Act of 1964. In addition, the government extended its influence on police organization and management. The model of police work is decided by both the Chief Officers of police and by peace officers of all ranks, who are considered officers of the Crown. The police have been able to mediate between the government and the working classes on several occasions. Successive Home Secretaries have worked to decrease the total number of police forces in order to exercise greater control over them. The personal relationship between Chief Constables and the Home Office has also meant that the chiefs who are selected are not likely to espouse controversial policies. 20 references