The current structure and organisation of the police. U3A Study Group Session 2

Transcription

1 The current structure and organisation of the police U3A Study Group Session 2

2 Menu National structures Regional forces Other policing agencies The organisation of regional forces focusing on Cumbria Constabulary.

3 National and regional structures There has been a growth in national policing organisations. This now includes: National Crime Agency (previously Serious Organised Crime Agency, Serious Fraud Office, National Criminal Intelligence Agency) Up to press there is not one national police force in the UK but 48 regional forces. This breaks down as follows: There are 39 police forces in England and 4 police forces in Wales. There is now one police force in Scotland (Police Scotland, introduced in April 2013 by amalgamating the 8 regional forces). One force in N Ireland (Police Service of Northern Ireland). Separate police forces also exist in Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man. For a map (showing police forces in E&W) see Mawby et al (2003:171). The number of police forces in E&W have been reduced from 200 in 1945 to 125 in 1949 to 117 in 1964 and 43 in 2005 (Newburn 2003: 91-92). This regional rather than national organisation, separates the force here from many continental European countries (Finland, France, Scotland etc) which do have national police forces.

4 National and regional structures There are other agencies with specific policing functions of some kind. Some of these are: Specialised police forces: Ministry of Defence Police (uniformed, routinely armed, authority restricted to MOD establishments (including nuclear establishments) except in the case of terrorism or hot pursuit) British Transport Police (unifomred, authority restricted to railway network except in the case of terrorism or hot pursuit) MI5 (non-uniformed, armed?, authority restricted to certain types of serious crime) Civil Nuclear Constabulary (routinely armed, uniformed, provides security for nuclear installations and the transport of nuclear materials)

5 National and regional structures Agencies with some policing functions: Local authorities (RIPA 2000)(investigatory powers) H&S Executive (limited executive powers) E&W Marine and Fisheries Agency and the Scottish Fisheries Agency (limited executive powers) UK Fire and Rescue Agency (in emergencies) British Rail Companies (power to require production of a ticket etc)

6 National and regional structures: agencies with policing functions Independent Police Complaints Commission UK Border Agency HM Revenue and Customs Ports Police Parks police (operate in Kew, Epping Forest, Royal Parks and the London Parks) Markets Police (Birmingham, London, Liverpool) Forces Police (Marines, Military, Navy, RAF)

7 National and regional structures The 43 police forces cost about 8.4 billion in 2002 according to Mawby et al (2003:173), with the CC spending some 94 million. In E&W for various reasons there have been pressures towards national structures. Probably the main milestones have been: The setting up of Regional Crime Squads (RCS) in Police and Magistrates' Court Act 1993 (which set down national objectives and HMIC inspection of police authorities). Police Act 1997, which as noted above and created a national serious crimes squad (amalgamating the RCS) and a national criminal intelligence service. In 2002 NCS had 1,176 police officers and 405 civilian staff seconded to it (Smith et al 2002). Also in 2002 there were 287 police officers and 482 civilians working for NCIS (Mawby et al 2003:190). In June 2005 plans emerged to consolidate the national policing strength by recruiting direct and no longer relying on officers seconded by the regional forces.

8 The structure and organisation of Cumbria Police In 2012 the Cumbria force had a total of 1400 police officers (of which 81% males and 19% females in 2002; of which 0.4% are members of an ethnic minority in 2002), 800 civilian staff and 120 special constables. The total officers to 100,000 of population is 288 in 2012(224 in 2002). Other forces have the following officer to population ratios (Mawby et al 2003: ): Lancashire: Metropolitan: North Yorks: South Yorks: 245.8

9 The structure and organisation of Cumbria Police The regional forces usually consist of a headquarters (housing the managers and some support services) and then the area is broken up into BCU s (Basic Command Unit, previously referred as a Division or subdivision and headed by a Chief Superintendent) with local services being delivered by the BCU s. Cumbria has three BCU s North, West and South. HQ sets policy, monitors the BCU s, allocates resources and provides some specialist services ( for example, armed response). The BCU s provide basic policing services, which include patrols, emergency response and investigation of particular kinds of crime given priority locally, by HQ or nationally.

10 The structure and organisation of Cumbria Police The acting Chief Constable for Cumbria Constabulary is Bernard Lawson. His deputy is Stuart Hyde (who was suspended from duty as CC in 2012 but allowed, as an investigation by South Wales Police did not find a case to answer and despite the efforts of the PCC). Cumbria has three BCU s North (inc Carlisle, Penrith), West (Keswick, Cockermouth, Whitehaven, Maryport) and South (inc Kendal, Windermere, Ulverston, Barrow)

11 The structure and organisation of Cumbria Police Overall the CC covers 2268 square miles, the working/residential site for 500,000 people. Cumbria Constabulary is small in workforce size and population covered but large in area covered. BSU s have their own HQ. Each BSU services a number of local policing units or sectors. The police are a command organisation at all levels. That is to say the police are organised in a quasi-military fashion with orders, uniforms and ranks. The debate about the military character of the police goes back to 1829 when conscious attempts were made to soften the military style by renaming the ranks,using top hats as part of the uniform, having a different coloured uniform and not routinely arming the police.

12 The structure and organisation of Cumbria Police Though there has been much debate on the exact details the rank structure of the provincial police it is as follows: Police Constable Sergeant (the only rank which uses a military title!) Inspector Chief Inspector Superintendent Chief Superintendent Assistant Chief Constable Deputy Chief Constable Chief Constable

13 The structure and organisation of Cumbria Police All police officers begin as constables. They have to complete a training course and two years as a probationary employee. Progression through the ranks is dependent on passing the appropriate sergeants and inspectors exams. The police also employ a large body of civilians (some 800 in CC). The original tasks set the police in 1829 were to prevent crime, protect life and property and preserve public tranquillity. In 1990 the objectives were restated: to uphold the law fairly and firmly; to pursue and bring to justice those who break the law; to keep the Queen s peace; to protect, help and reassure the community; and to be seen to do this with integrity, common sense and sound judgement (ACPO 1990:1).

14 Operational departments in CC Uniformed police located in the police stations in the BCU s. Rank structure as above. CID: also located at the police stations in the BCU s Special Branch: the Special Irish Branch was first formed in the Met in The model spread to all forces. In 2006 the Met Special Branch combined with the Antiterrorist Unit to form SO15. I assume that CC has a special branch! I haven t been able to find out.

15 The non-operational departments of CC Operational Support Finance and Resources Personnel and Development Professional Standards Legal Services Information Technology and Management Strategic Development Partnerships Programme Management There is also a Collision Investigation Unit and a Dog Unit

16 The organisation of policing in CC The actual tasks are shaped by local policing authorities, Home Office priorities and since 2002, the National Policing Plan. This plan states (Home Office 2002:3) that in the next 3 years the police are : to deliver improved police performance and greater public reassurance with regard to: tackling ASB; reducing volume street, drug-related and violent and gun crime ; combating serious and organised crime ; increasing the number of offences brought to justice.

17 But then along came the Police and Crime Commissioners In the case of CC this means Richard Rhodes What exactly do PCC s do? How will they affect the operation of the police in general and CC in particular?

18 PCC Rhodes was elected as PCC in November, The PCC effectively replaced the Police Committees. Police and Crime Commissioners will ensure that local people have a say in local policing priorities. They will make communities safer by cutting crime and linking their police forces more closely to the people they serve. PCCs will also hold the local Chief Constable to account for the delivery and performance of the force. The introduction of PCCs will mean for the first time the public will be able to directly vote for an individual to represent their community's policing needs. Home Secretary Theresa May said; These new measures will place the public back at the heart of our drive to cut crime, giving them a say in how their local area is policed by electing a Police and Crime Commissioner, and strengthening the powers that police and councils need to tackle crime and disorder at a local level. The job is to be a Police and Crime Commissioner which means a broader and more direct remit than only policing - it includes community safety, the prevention of crime, tackling drugs and alcohol related anti-social behaviour amongst other things. As Police and Crime Commissioner, Richard Rhodes will establish the priorities for the police in Cumbria, set the annual budget for the force and agree the level of council tax that local people contribute to funding our police services. (Richard Rhodes Website May 2013)

19 PCC: This is what he said he would do 1. Establish an Executive Committee consisting of the Chief Constable, Chief Executive and Treasurer to determine policy and strategy that is deliverable within existing budgetary constraints. Central to this would be Hot Spot Policing - in which a comprehensive crime mapping exercise will demonstrate where and when criminal activity takes place. This will facilitate the deployment of effective resources to the areas of the County where they are most needed, avoid wasting time and effort and develop the highest level of visibility and response possible. 2. Establish and Office of Public Engagement which will be proactive in facilitating public attitudes, complaints and suggestions by accessing all media outlets, staging public events and advising the Executive Committee on public reaction to policing and crime prevention matters. 3. Establish an Office of Victim Support, which will be responsible for distributing the recently announced government finance for victims as well as coordinating practical help for those whose lives have been affected by crime. This will be done by working with existing voluntary and public sector organisations. No Crime ever has only one victim. 4. Promote Restorative Justice in response to the current government initiative as a means of reducing reoffending and boosting victims' confidence in the system. This will be done by commissioning work from the public, private, voluntary and faith sectors and will have 4 main target areas in the first instance. 5. Anti Social Behaviour Statistics show this to be the greatest area of public concern. 6. Veterans Veterans are the largest single occupational group currently in our prisons. They deserve better. 7. Youth Justice There needs to be greater overall coordination in the handling of youth crime. 8. Rural Crime In Cumbria we have a particular need to address this issue by harnessing local resources. 9. Promote a Pan-Cumbrian vision and level of activity for dealing with crime across the County by embracing the good work and activity currently being promoted by Local Authorities, Safer Cumbria, Community Safety partnerships, and the new Health and Well Being boards, amongst others. This will include a cooperative approach with the statutory agencies such as the Police, the Probation Service, Youth Offending Service, the Health Authorities and Education Services.

20 6 months on Rhodes Intentions Accomplished 1 Establish an Executive Committee consisting of the Chief Constable, Chief Executive and Treasurer to determine policy and strategy No news is bad news? 2 Establish and Office of Public Engagement Established March 20, Establish an Office of Victim Support Not yet 4 Promote Restorative Justice Not yet 5 Anti Social Behaviour Statistics show this to be the greatest area of public concern. Reduce ASB? 6 Veterans are the largest single occupational group currently in our prisons. Make provision for veterans inside and out of prisons? 7 There needs to be greater overall coordination in the handling of youth crime. 8 Rural Crime In Cumbria we have a particular need to address. Reduce rural crime? 9 Promote a Pan-Cumbrian vision and level of activity.????? Not yet????

21 On the other hand: Cumbria's police and crime commissioner has apologised for using a chauffeur-driven car paid for by the taxpayer. Richard Rhodes said he failed to check the cost of the car and driver before using it for the first time. It is claimed two trips cost a total of 700 (BBC 19/04/13).

22 Conclusion We have examined the structure and organisation of the police. The operation of this structure has to be set in the context of the social conditions set out in Session 1. Many changes are at work not the least privatisation and alterations to the police conditions of service as well as a movement to a national force. Probably the key feature throughout this period has been the decline of police legitimacy in the context of a society becoming more conflictual.