NCJ Number
104646
Date Published
1986
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Although the police claim that the powers given them under the British Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 are minimal as tools to counter criminals, the act provides sufficient power and discretion to cause public antagonism unless the police are guided by consultations between the public and police.
Abstract
The police successfully argued against a proposed amendment to the act that would have excluded nonuniformed officers from conducting stops and searches. This is of particular concern to racial minorities who have experienced a rising number of attacks from whites. Minorities approached on the streets by nonuniformed white officers have no way of knowing who is approaching them and for what purpose. Blacks have also experienced higher stop-and-search rates than other racial groups, and this has led black communities to complain about harassment based on race. Police powers of entry and search have also been abused, as police have often not properly identified themselves and displayed the search warrant, have searched in places where the specified article could not possibly be located, and have waited until adults have left the home before entering the premises. Such aforementioned police practices could be curtailed through meaningful police-community consultations, as authorized and encouraged by the act. The community should have input into police policies and procedures and have the opportunity to complain directly to the police about abuses of police power. 15 notes.