BRITISH POLICE EXPERIENCE

• NCJ Number: 55050
• Journal: International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (SPRING 1977) Pages: 1-16
• Author(s): E JOHNSTON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 15 pages
• Corporate Author: Wichita State University
• Publication Format: Article
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: DELIVERED BEFORE THE MEMBERS OF THE WICHITA (KANSAS) CRIME COMMISSION AT THEIR 24TH ANNUAL DINNER MEETING, OCTOBER 19, 1977

Annotation

METHODS OF ACHIEVING LAW AND ORDER IN GREAT BRITAIN ARE EXAMINED, WITH EMPHASIS ON LAWS, THE POLICE, THE COURTS, THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE PENAL SYSTEM, AND POLICE-COMMUNITY RELATIONS.

Abstract

CRIMES OF BURGLARY AND HOUSEBREAKING HAVE INCREASED 25 PERCENT IN THE 1970'S, WHILE CRIMES OF VIOLENCE HAVE INCREASED 100 PERCENT IN THE SAME PERIOD. MAJOR AREAS OF CONCERN IN POLICE OPERATIONS ARE THE PREVENTION OF THESE AND OTHER CRIMES, THE DETECTION OF CRIME AND THE ARREST OF CRIMINALS WHEN CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED, AND THE PRESERVATION OF LAW AND ORDER. DIFFICULTIES HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED IN COPING WITH MILITANT POLITICAL EXTREMISTS AND WITH YOUTH VANDALISM. THE GENERAL PUBLIC, HOWEVER, IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE POLICE. FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF THE GOVERNMENT, THERE ARE FOUR DIRECT WAYS TO APPROACH THE PROBLEM OF CRIME: (1) ENSURE THAT LAWS ARE SENSIBLE AND SUPPORTED BY THE PEOPLE; (2) ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN ADEQUATE POLICE SYSTEM; (3) ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN ADEQUATE SYSTEM OF COURTS AND JUSTICE; AND (4) ENSURE THAT THERE IS AN EFFECTIVE PENAL SYSTEM. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IS THE BASIS OF THE POLICE SYSTEM, AND FUNDS FOR EACH POLICE FORCE COME FROM LOCAL SOURCES. IN ADDITION TO REGULAR LOCAL POLICE, POLICE FORCES HAVE THE ASSISTANCE OF UNPAID PART-TIME AUXILIARIES KNOWN AS SPECIAL CONSTABLES. PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE AND ACADEMIC STUDY FOR REGULAR LOCAL POLICE ARE ENCOURAGED. EIGHT RECRUIT TRAINING CENTERS HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED TO WHICH POLICE RECRUITS GO FOR 3 MONTHS. THE LOCAL COMMUNITY HAS THE RIGHT TO HAVE A POLICE FORCE THAT IS COMPRISED OF MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE HONEST, ARE COURTEOUS IN THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE PUBLIC, ARE ENTHUSIASTIC AND HARD WORKING, ARE PROPERLY TRAINED IN THE TECHNIQUES OF THEIR JOB, AND ARE AWARE THAT THEIR WORK IS A VOCATION INVOLVING SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. POLICE OFFICERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO EXPECT FROM THE LOCAL COMMUNITY ADEQUATE REMUNERATION, ADEQUATE TRAINING FACILITIES, ADEQUATE BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT, SENSIBLE LAWS TO ADMINISTER, THE SUPPORT OF THE COURTS, JUDICIAL PROCEDURES THAT DO NOT IMPEDE THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE, AND FULL SUPPORT FROM THOSE IN AUTHORITY AND FROM THE PRESS. THE POLICE SYSTEM IN GREAT BRITAIN IS COMPARED WITH THE POLICE SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES. (DEP)