NCJ Number
123502
Journal
Police Volume: 22 Issue: 5 Dated: (February 1990) Pages: 3-4
Date Published
1990
Length
2 pages
Annotation
Media editorials argue that British police unduly rely on promotion from the ranks and that an "officer class" similar to that in the military should be introduced.
Abstract
The call for an "officer class," however, reveals a serious misunderstanding of the historical role of the British police as a civilian service. Unlike the junior ranks of the military, most actions taken by police are the personal responsibility of one person, usually a police constable. Only in a few cases is individual discretion subordinated to the commands of superior officers. As currently organized, the police service is recruiting officers at a better rate than most comparable occupations, and without an "officer class."