NCJ Number
70456
Journal
Canadian Police Chief Volume: 69 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1980) Pages: 20-24
Date Published
1980
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Sir David McNee of the Metropolitan Police, London, England, speaks to the Glasgow Junior Chamber of Commerce (Scotland) about the historical role of the police and answers criticism about the police in London.
Abstract
The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 became the foundation for the establishment of new police forces throughout Great Britain. The peace and stability that was created by the presence and activities on the new police allowed industry and commerce to expand and enabled the trade union and labor movement to take root and grow. The 1829 act decreed that members of the force should hold the ancient office of constable and that they were to be the police of the local community rather than the police of the crown. The public's initial hostility to uniformed police vanished as the advantages of a peacekeeping force became apparent, especially its social welfare function. The current (1980) problems and criticisms concerning the London police are discussed, including the dilemma of dealing with terrorism while maintaing freedom of the media, public disorder such as demonstrations, and police corruption. Radio and television have a vital role in helping to fight against terrorism, but occasional unwarranted publicity can serve to inflate the terrorists' own sense of self importance and can enhance their credibility. Concerning corruption within the police, the speaker notes that the honesty of most police officers is easily overlooked during a scandal involving a few officers. Citizens and police must work together to maintain peace, especially peace without the use of force.