NCJ Number
53610
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 51 Issue: 4 Dated: (OCTOBER-DECEMBER 1978) Pages: 317-324
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THREE SEPARATE TYPES OF POLITICAL CONFRONTATION ARE USED TO EXAMINE THE ISSUE OF POLICE CONTROL OF THE STREETS, THE RIGHTS OF DEMONSTRATORS, AND THE MAINTENANCE OF THE PUBLIC'S CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICE.
Abstract
THIS BRITISH PAPER DRAWS UPON THE CIVIL DISTURBANCES IN NORTHERN IRELAND IN 1969, THE RED LION SQUARE POLITICAL DEMONSTRATION, AND THE GRUNWICK COMPANY LABOR DISPUTE FOR ITS ILLUSTRATIONS. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE SITUATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND WAS TOO CLOSE TO CIVIL WAR TO BE AMENABLE TO POLICE ACTION. THE RED LION SQUARE DISORDER WAS GENUINE POLICE PROBLEM. THE GRUNWICK DISPUTE WAS ESSENTIALLY AN INDUSTRIAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEM, BUT BECAUSE THERE WAS STREET DISORDER, IT WAS ALSO A POLICE PROBLEM. THE DISCUSSION POINTS OUT THAT IN A FREE SOCIETY THE RIGHTS OF ALL PARTIES MUST BE PROTECTED, AND THEY MUST BE PROTECTED IN A MANNER THAT INCREASES PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE POLICE. IT IS ARGUED THAT ONE OF THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS IN POLICING IS THE FACT THAT THE LAW HAS NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEMS OF MODERN CIVIL DISORDER. THE USE OF THE PUBLIC STREET IS A CASE IN POINT. A CASE IN WHICH FOUR JUDGES GAVE DIFFERENT RULINGS ON LAWFUL USE OF THE STREET IS SUMMARIZED. THIS LEGAL AMBIGUITY MAKES IT ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT FOR THE POLICE TO ACT IMPARTIALLY AND TO USE METHODS WHICH WILL WIN PUBLIC SUPPORT. THE PROBLEMS OF INSUFFICIENT MANPOWER AND INADEQUATE EQUIPMENT ARE EXAMINED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT HEAVY ARMOR AND WEAPONS POSE TOO MUCH DANGER TO THE PUBLIC. A MAN ON A HORSE IS SEEN AS LESS THREATENING AND JUST AS EFFECTIVE. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT IN ALL SUCH CONFRONTATIONS, THE POLICE MUST REMAIN ALOOF FROM THE POLITICS INVOLVED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. (GLR)