NCJ Number
105559
Journal
Policing Volume: 3 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring 1987) Pages: 36-42
Date Published
1987
Length
11 pages
Annotation
Police accountability in England, particularly in London, requires that communities have input for the policies and operations of policing in their localities. Section 106 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 provides for such input.
Abstract
The responsiveness of police to community needs and perceptions is a growing political concern in England. This concern has been prompted by police professional introversion and an increase in the central government's responsibility for policing at the expense of local governments. Section 106 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 attempts to increase police-citizen consultation by providing that 'arrangements shall be made in each police area for obtaining the views of people in that area about matters concerning the policing of the area and for obtaining their cooperation with the police in preventing crime in the area.' Some who call for increased local police accountability have opposed police-community consultation groups under the argument that it should not be a substitute for borough authority over the Metropolitan Police (London). Such a position fails to distinguish between political accountability and police consumer responsiveness. Consultative groups would still be required even should the Metropolitan Police become accountable to borough politicians. Section 106 should be used to develop a structure for discussion and improved understanding between citizens and police. 21 references.