Policing in the UK: A Brief Guide

1 What do the do?

How do we police?

Neighbourhood policing and the Peelian Principles are the heart and soul of the British model. This is the aspect of policing that most people relate to and evidence points to increases in public confidence directly linked to visibility of police officers and staff. Public confidence underpins police legitimacy and has practical benefits. These include gaining intelligence about criminal activity within communities, opportunities for engaging with neighbourhood groups and boosting recruitment of those either wishing to volunteer or join through the .

Peelian Principles

1. The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder. 2. The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions. 3. Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public. 4. The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force. 5. Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law. 6. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient. 7. Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence. 8. Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary. 9. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.

Cutting Crime

The Office of Constable Home Secretary Theresa May has said “I think for too long, too many people Every sworn police officer in England that the mission of the police is to cut have seen crime as a strict and Wales is a ‘Constable’ regardless of crime, no more and no less. In a speech to definition of recorded crime. When I talk rank. It is from the Office of Constable the Police Superintendents’ Association about fighting crime, I do not mean a that each officer derives their powers. she expanded on this theme, saying: narrow category of activity. The Office of Constable means a police officer has the additional legal powers “Cutting crime isn’t just about the number “Cutting crime means catching criminals of arrest and control of the public given of arrests which are made, the number but it also means preventing crime. And to him or her directly by a sworn oath of incidents responded to or the number preventing crime means intervening and warrant. These are not delegated of successful prosecutions. In fact, I am early in domestic disputes to prevent powers simply because they have been quite clear that it does mean a range of escalation, it means supporting the employed as an officer. Police officers activity […] vulnerable person who could become a are not employees, but office holders. victim of crime, it means tackling anti- Each police officer has personal liability “Let me be clear. Some domestic disputes social behaviour, it means providing for their actions or inaction. The chief are crime and all incidents of domestic effective public order policing.” officer of the force to which each violence are crime. Early intervention is constable is attached also has a level of crime fighting. Preventing crime is part of corporate responsibility. cutting crime.

2 Organising the police service

The term ‘constable’ dates back almost to the Norman conquest, and acquired the characteristics of a local officer with recognised responsibility for keeping the King’s peace over centuries. The modern police service is still founded on this concept of the Office of Constable, subject to the rule of law, independent and impartial, tasked with upholding and enforcing the law.

The first ‘modern’ police force in England may have been the Bow Street Runners, formed with volunteers walking the streets in 1748. It was not until 1829 that the Act was passed, which began the development of what we know today as the paid police. Over the past 180 years the British Police Service has evolved to be one of the best, if not the finest, police service in the world.

The structure of policing within the oversight. From November 2012, 41 As well as regionally based police forces, United Kingdom is complex. There of the geographic forces will have there is also British Transport Police are 44 geographic forces in England, elected Police and Crime Commissioners with responsibility for policing the rail Wales and Northern Ireland, each led by (PCCs) responsible for discharging network, and specialist police forces a Chief Constable who under statute local democratic oversight. The two such as the Ministry of Defence Police has authority of ‘direction and control’ exceptions are , which serves MoD establishments, and of the force. Each Chief Constable and the Police Service of Northern the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, which is accountable to law, to the Home Ireland. In London, the PCC role is protects nuclear sites. Secretary for national efficiency and undertaken by the Mayor’s Office for effectiveness, and to local democratic Policing and Crime (MOPAC).

Police Force Boundaries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland

1. Avon & Somerset 26. Norfolk 2. Bedfordshire 27. Northamptonshire 3. Cambridgeshire 28. Northumbria 4. Cheshire 29. North Wales 5. City of London 30. North Yorkshire 6. Cleveland 31. Nottinghamshire 7. Cumbria 32. South Wales 8. Derbyshire 33. South Yorkshire 9. Devon & Cornwall 34. Staffordshire 10. Dorset 35. Suffolk 11. Durham 36. Surrey 12. Dyfed-Powys 37. Sussex 13. Essex 38. Thames Valley 14. Gloucestershire 39. Warwickshire 15. Greater Manchester 40. West Mercia 16. Gwent 41. West Midlands 17. Hampshire and Isle of Wight 42. West Yorkshire 18. Hertfordshire 43. Wiltshire 19. Humberside 44. Police Service of Northern 20. Kent Ireland 21. Lancashire 22. Leicestershire 23. Lincolnshire 24. Merseyside 25. Metropolitan Police Service

3 UK Police Service - a complex structure

British Transport Police (BTP) is the national police force for the railways providing a policing service to rail operators, their staff and passengers throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Every day it polices over six million passengers and 400,000 tonnes of freight over 10,000 miles of track.

Accountability is to the British Transport and set out powers to members of the (BTPA), made up of 15 Civil Nuclear Constabulary. The CNPA members representing passengers, the operates under the strategic direction of rail industry, Scotland, England and Wales, the Department for Energy and Climate appointed by the Secretary of State for Change (DECC). Members of the CNPA are Northern Ireland Transport. The BTPA is charged with appointed by the Secretary of State and The Police Service of Northern Ireland securing the maintenance of an efficient the organisation is a non-departmental is overseen through a system of and effective police force, and unlike the public body. The function of the accountability structures including the geographic Home Office forces, is also CNPA is to maintain the efficiency and Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland charged with defraying the expenses of effectiveness of the CNC. The role of the and the Northern Ireland Policing the police force to the rail industry. The CNPA is to ensure that the Constabulary Board. The Policing Board takes its annual net revenue budget for the force is meets the policing requirements of powers from the Police (Northern just over £200 million. primary stakeholders in the nuclear Ireland) Act 2000 and has 19 members industry. in total, including a Chair and a Vice The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) Chair. The work of the Board covers has a very exclusive role, providing oversight of the PSNI, human rights, protection for civil nuclear licensed sites Scotland community engagement, police and (e.g. power stations) and safe-guarding In Scotland, the eight territorial forces, community safety partnerships and nuclear materials, nuclear site operators, Scottish Police Services Authority and police pensions and administration. policing and nuclear regulators as well Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement as interlinking with Home Office forces. Agency are currently integrating into The Energy Act 2004 created the Civil a single service. The Police Service Nuclear Police Authority (CNPA) for Scotland (PSS) will be the largest police service in the UK after the Metropolitan Police Service, comprising more than 17,000 officers and 6,500 The job of the Ministry of Defence operates one of the most advanced staff serving Scotland’s population of Police (MDP) is to provide constabulary police analytical systems in the world. more than five million people and a policing on the Defence Estate, to In partnership with Action Fraud (the budget of around £1.4bn. The Police enable the MOD and the Armed Forces UK’s national fraud reporting centre), the and Fire Reform (Scotland) Bill 2012 to carry out their role with security and bureau has processed over 2.25 million was passed by the Scottish Parliament confidence. Formed in 1971, the MDP’s reports of confirmed fraud. Analysis of its on 27 June 2012. The Chief Constable jurisdiction is defined in the MOD Police data has identified thousands of criminal will be accountable to the Scottish Act 1987. The Force numbered some networks, suspects, and victims of fraud. Police Authority (SPA) which was also 3300 until 2011 when numbers began to Its approach to tackling fraud, particularly established by the legislation. reduce as part of the MOD programme to in respect of serious organised crime balance its budget. Force strength will and cyber crime, supports the national From 1 April 2013 the Police Service stabilise at about 2,500 in 2014. Strategic Policing Requirement. will be responsible for policing across the whole of Scotland. It will deliver MDP uniforms, rank structure, vehicles, The Court of Common Council will continue statutory functions at both local and Airwave radio communications, to be defined as the police authority national level and also drive change equipment etc., are all comparable with for the City of London in as the Service delivers improved other police services - and this allows for accordance with the provisions of the City efficiency and effectiveness while close working practices. It operates in of London Police Act 1839 and the Police maintaining at least 17,234 officers, five geographic Divisions serving nearly Act 1996. The role of the police authority, and policing performance that has led 100 MOD establishments and units however, is broadly similar to the role of to a 37 year low crime rate. throughout the UK. the new Police and Crime Commissioners.

Since being given the role of National Additionally the policing family includes Lead Force for fraud investigation the Port of Dover and Port of Liverpool in 2008, the City of London Police police forces. has continued to develop capacity and capability in this area. Today, the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB)

4 Above the level of individual police forces, there are many regional structures set up to ensure joined up and seamless policing across borders. A leading example is the successful regional structure for policing counter terrorism (referred to later on in this paper). Building on the success of this regional structure the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) Cabinet has also recently agreed in principle the creation of regional Protected Persons Units, as part of the existing regional crime arrangements – the Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCUs).

The four Police Authorities and police from three bases around the region CMPG combined powers of police, customs forces in Wales work together to is made up of 140 police officers and and immigration officers. They have a provide communities with a service that 29 support staff. CMPG is responsible substantial range of tools and legislation is focused on their needs, producing a for patrolling the Midlands motorway to target criminals with – everything from National Policing Plan for Wales. As well network stretching south from Cheshire the ability to recover assets through to as operating within force boundaries, the on the M6 to the Welsh borders on the Serious Crime Prevention Orders. SOCA Welsh police forces collaborate at regional M50. works with agencies and officials across and national level and this enhances both the UK and all over the world. In June capacity and capability. The Serious and Organised Crime 2010, the Home Secretary announced the Agency (SOCA) tackles serious organised creation of a new National Crime Agency The Central Motorway Police Group crime that affects the UK and its citizens. which will become operational in 2013. (CMPG) provides a full-regionalised This includes Class A drugs, people policing service for the motorways of smuggling, human trafficking, major gun the West Midlands, West Mercia and crime, fraud, computer crime and money Staffordshire force areas. Operating laundering. SOCA officers can have the

Becoming a police Individuals directly approach the Force(s) they are interested in joining for an application form which also seeks responses to competency based questions. constable If this application is successful (around 60 per cent of applications can fail at this stage) the applicant is invited to attend an assessment centre.

The police assessment centre, Police Fitness Test which tests The minimum entry requirements Police Initial Recruitment Test overall fitness, dynamic strength for police constable: (PIRT), involves an interview, and endurance. Health checks are • Pass rigorous initial recruitment test four interactive exercises, two also included in the process and • Be aged between 18.5 years and 55 years (age limit can vary depending written exercises and a numerical finally background and security on the force) and verbal reasoning test. It is checks are undertaken to verify the • Be a British, Irish or Commonwealth incorporated into one assessment applicant’s identity and background citizen (whose stay in this country is not subject to restriction) day to standardise the recruitment before they are accepted by the • Be of good character process across 43 forces in England Force for training. • Be physically fit and Wales. The next step is the • Hold a full driving licence (or be in the process of learning to drive).

Training for the All probationary police constables in England and Wales undertake an extensive and professional training programme known as office of constable the Initial Police Learning and Development Programme (IPLDP), leading to the Level 3 Diploma in Policing (QCF), during their first two years of service. Individual forces are responsible for the local implementation and delivery of the IPLDP and the emphasis is on local community involvement and a flexible timetable.

5 The IPLDP is divided into four training phases, which cover the completion of the diploma. The precise name and length of each phase varies slightly between forces, but the IPLDP curriculum is generally divided as follows:

Continuing professional • Phase 1: induction. General introduction to the organisation with development (CPD) and ongoing training in first aid, health and safety, officer safety, ICT, race training are important. Annual and diversity, human rights and community safety strategy; performance and development • Phase 2: Community. Training in crime and disorder reduction and reviews (PDRs) assess and a community placement; monitor the progress of police • Phase 3: Supervised patrol. Workplace practice supported by officers to ensure that their class-based learning, dealing with simulated incidents and professional skills are kept up to work-based learning under supervised patrol; date and they are abreast of the • Phase 4: independent patrol. Combines operational duties with demands of a constantly changing independent and distance learning. work environment.

Moving through the ranks Many roles can be carried out as a Police Constable and the majority of officers within a force are of this rank. The first rank above Rank Structure Police Constable is that of Sergeant. A Sergeant is the first-line supervisor, often with responsibility for a small team of people consisting of PCs, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Constable Police Staff (civilian employees).

The next rank above Sergeant is Inspector. Officers at Inspector rank Sergeant are responsible usually for supervising a small group of Sergeants and usually take more of a strategic, rather than operational, role.

Inspector Further promotion up to the rank of Beyond the rank of Inspector promotion Inspector consists of two formal exams, is generally through application and six months apart. The first is a written interview boards, where an individual’s test and the second is a role-playing abilities and experience are tested Chief Inspector exam, designed to test the candidate’s against a list of competencies for the ability to resolve problems at the rank. Officers achieving the rank of appropriate rank. Chief Superintendent can apply to sit the Senior Police National Assessment Superintendent Once an officer has passed both exams, Centre (PNAC) which is a process to they are qualified for promotion and identify those who are capable of being forces select from the pool of qualified an effective chief officer. Officers who PCs / Sergeants as and when vacancies are successful at Senior PNAC will attend Chief arise. This might involve a formal the Strategic Command Course (SCC) Superintendent application for a post and sitting a formal and then will be eligible to apply for interview or ‘board’. national chief officer roles. Assistant Chief Constable Police Community Support Officers are members of support staff employed, directed and managed by their Police Deputy Chief Force. They will work to complement Constable and support regular police officers, providing a visible and accessible uniformed presence to improve the Chief quality of life in the community and Constable offer greater public reassurance.

6 How is policing Before the arrival of Police and Crime Commissioners, Police Authorities were responsible for police funding. They raise revenue to fund the funded? operation of their police forces by levying a precept on Council Tax Collection Authorities - District Councils and Unitary Authorities - which is added to local people’s Council Tax bills. In addition, Police Authorities receive grants from the Home Office which are determined on the basis of the specific needs of their areas. The Home Secretary issues an overall police strategy and Police Authorities are provided with funding broadly to pay for meeting the strategy’s objectives.

Currently funding is divided into a police funding will reduce by 20 per police budgets would reduce by 14 number of individual categories, cent in real terms by 2014-15. If Police per cent in real terms over the next including standard spending, capital Authorities were to choose to increase four years. Counter-terrorism specific spending and Special Police Grants precept, part of council tax, at the policing is protected with a smaller and Central Support Services. The level forecast by the Office of Budget percentage cut than overall police Home Office is responsible for police Responsibility, the Spending Review funding of 10 per cent in real terms. grant funding. Central government settlement means that on average

Behind the scenes Frontline officers and staff would not be able to discharge their duties without the vital input from other support functions in the police service (often categorised as middle/back office). The HMIC Report, Demanding Times, found that just under 40 per cent of the police service was involved in such a role (and there is often overlap).

HMIC distinguishes between the visible, the specialists, the middle office and back office. Visible roles being police officers or PCSOs who undertake work that is regularly seen by the public; for instance, patrolling or responding to 999 calls.

However, there are less seen but vital Middle and back office roles can cover roles conducted by other parts of the a range of functions. Middle office is service. Specialists can be those roles often where operational and support that may involve direct contact with the functions overlap. These regularly public, but whose work is not in general include management and oversight roles visible to the public. Many officers fall requiring decision-making and delegation. into this category, such as CID. Back office comprises those roles that are necessary to the running of organisations as large as a police force. Commonly The Criminal Investigations associated roles can be finance, IT and Department (CID) is the department human resources. Her Majesty’s Inspectorate that investigates crimes of a more of Constabulary defined the serious nature, which may require police front line as – “those who specialist skills to ensure more complex or serious crimes are investigated fully. are in everyday contact with This includes the Drug Squad, Fraud the public and who directly Squad, and the Crime Squad. To be intervene to keep people safe appointed to these sections, you need to be experienced in basic detective and enforce the law”. work before you would be considered.

7 Police Performance

Overview

Preventing crime and disorder is the bedrock of the police service’s mission and in the past 50 years, the demands to fulfil this mission have grown. We now respond to 4.2 million crimes every year, from low level disorder and anti-social behaviour at one end of the business to serious organised crime, sexual violence and homicides at the other.

From April 2011 until March At the same time as the number and range of crimes has grown, the 2012 Police received just under breadth of the police service’s responsibilities has also widened. We are 10 million calls via 999 in available 24 hours, 7 days a week and when there are serious concerns England and Wales. about the safety and welfare of someone, even where no crime has been committed, our communities turn to the police for help.

The service has risen to the challenge Crime statistics should be taken in tandem To cut crime and reassure the public, of increased demand and greater with ‘victim surveys’ which provide the careful analysis is needed to make sure responsibilities. Overall crime, as most accurate measure of the public’s officers and staff are doing the right measured by the most comprehensive things, including patrol, at the right survey of its kind in the world, the times and right locations. The police crime survey of England and Wales, cut crime in three basic ways. Firstly shows that it is at its lowest level since they deter criminals by catching them the survey began in 1981. The survey when they break the law. Secondly, by also finds that confidence in the police analysing where crime may take place, the increases year on year. A significant opportunity can be removed; and thirdly, part of the policing mission is around through being fair and respectful to the increasing public confidence in local public, people are less likely to break the policing services, and increasing the Trends in recorded crime and BCS, 1981 to law in future. satisfaction members of the public have 2010/11 with the service they receive.

experience, which include the considerable The Police Federation of number of crimes they do not report. England and Wales is a Local recorded crime is mapped online and sources are available to compare force staff association for all police figures and examine trends. constables, sergeants and inspectors (including chief Crime rates have been going down overall since the mid 1990s. This is attributed to inspectors). It was created by a range of factors, including an increased the Police Act 1919, passed a focus on neighbourhood policing and more year after a crippling strike by Home Office Statistical Bulletin: Crime in technical measures such as the introduction England and Wales 2010/11 of car immobilisers by manufacturers. the unrecognised National Union of Police and Prison Officers (NUPPO).

8 Timeline since the 1962 Royal 1962 Royal Commission on Police 1964 Police Act 1967 Home Office Circular on Beat Policing Commission on Police 1976 Police Act 1981 Scarman Report Since the Royal Commission on Policing in 1962, 1983 Home Office circular; Financial Management Initiative the expectations of the public on policing have 1984 Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1991 Royal Commission on also shifted and in answer to this, Parliament has 1993 Sheehy Inquiry passed a number of reforms to the service. These 1994 Police and Magistrates Court Act have impacted upon every area of our work and a 1997 Police Act 1998 Crime and Disorder Act constable from the 1960s would not recognise the 1999 The MacPherson Report service today. 1999 Patten Report 2000 Regulation of investigatory Powers Act 2001 Criminal Justice and Police Act The police service is constantly changing and the pace of 2002 Police Reform Act reform has increased exponentially over past decades. 2003 Anti-Social Behaviour Act The table to the right serves to demonstrate some of the 2004 HMIC Report on Workforce Modernisation most notable changes that have taken place over the past 2005 Prevention of Terorism Act 50 years. Among the most recent significant reforms is 2005 Serious Organised Crime and Police Act the comprehensive review of police terms and conditions 2005 HMIC policing structure review: Closing the gap conducted by Tom Winsor (now Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of 2006 Police and Justice Act Constabulary). 2007 Flanagan Report 2008 Counter Terrorism Act 2009 Policing and Crime Act 2010 Crime and Security Act Changes in policing 2011 Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2012 Hutton Report Two specific areas of policing that officers in 2012 Winsor Report the 1960s didn’t contend with on a daily basis 2012 Protection of Freedoms Act 2013 Crime and Courts Bill (awaiting Royal Assent) are terrorism and cyber crime.

Cyber crime was identified as a major threat to UK security and as a result the Government granted £30m over four years to improve national capability to investigate and combat it. This paid for three regional units. Within the first 18 months of activity, the central unit conducted seven operations across England, Wales which resulted in an overall harm prevention figure of £83m.

The ACPO Terrorism and Allied Matters (TAM) business area leads for the police service on Counter Terrorism and related issues through, among other activities, the development of police service policy and strategy in respect of relevant Counter Terrorism, Domestic Extremism and other policing themes. As part of this role, the business area liaises with Government and other partners on behalf of the police service.

The ACPO (TAM) Counter Terrorism resources, regionally based and resourced intelligence analysts, forensic specialist Implementation Programme was by ‘lead’ police forces. Their role includes and high-tech investigators. The network established in 2006 with the aim of the gathering of intelligence and evidence also includes police assets located within providing an effective national policing to help prevent, disrupt and prosecute police forces to ensure close links with capability in response to terrorism. As terrorist activities. The network has a the communities they serve. a result of this programme of work, the wide range of experts including but not Counter Terrorism network was set limited to skilled detectives, financial up with dedicated Counter Terrorism investigators, community contact teams,

The current approach to dealing with terrorism is set out in the Pursue to stop terrorist attacks; Government’s UK’s Counter Terrorism strategy, Contest. The Prevent to stop people becoming terrorists or supporting aim of Contest is to reduce the risk to the UK and its interests terrorism; overseas from terrorism, so that people can go about their lives Protect to strengthen our protection against a terrorist freely and with confidence. The Strategy is organised around attack; and four workstreams, each comprising a number of key objectives: Prepare to mitigate the impact of a terrorist attack.

9 Tackling anti-social Around 3.2 million incidents of anti-social behaviour were recorded by the police in England and Wales in 2010/11. These incidents are dealt behaviour with in partnership with local authorities and agencies.

Local policing is at the core of Britain’s, internationally recognised, model. It is all about what happens on the streets and how safe people feel in the communities they inhabit. Over the past fifteen years, there has been renewed focus on neighbourhood policing teams so that we can better respond to anti-social behaviour. Now, in every ward in the country, there are named police officers and Police Community Support Officers that the public can access and turn to, either in person or online. There are regular meetings between the public and the officers in their area so that priorities can be set and problems addressed.

Responding to All parts of the public sector are being asked to share the burden of reducing the national deficit and policing must find £2.4 billion fewer resources over the next four years to close the gap in funding caused by central government cuts to the police budget.

The savings that need to be made equate to about 20 per cent of the entire police service budget for the period. While ACPO continues to believe creating larger strategic forces could both protect and enhance local policing while creating opportunities for significant cost savings, there is no political will from any side to change the 44 force model in England and Wales. However, chief officers are doing what they can to collaborate with each other and the private sector to create as many opportunities for cost savings as possible. Forces plan to make £169m of savings from collaboration over the spending review period, which equates to 11 per cent of the savings requirement and by 2014/15 around a sixth of policing will be delivered through collaboration.

In 2009 a comprehensive review identified With over 80 per cent of our budgets opportunities to improve resilience and to being spent on pay, the scale of the cuts Police Superintendents’ cut costs for air support across England will mean that job losses will have to Association of England and Wales and Wales. A decision was made to replace form part of the package of measures to was formed in 1952 and is the sole the current system with ‘a national meet the financial challenge. We will lose representative and negotiating body service, organised regionally and delivered 32,400 police officers and staff by March for Superintendents in the absence of locally’. Forces collaborated to remove the 2015 and we have already lost 17,600. It a trade union. The present prohibition artificial boundaries that restrict force will become more and more challenging to on joining a trade union or taking strike aircraft to operating within their own force maintain the trend of the past decade of action can be traced back to the 1919 areas. The new model which begins roll falling crime and rising confidence of the Police Act. out in 2012, will enable significant savings public in the police service. to all forces with an overall saving of more than £10million.

The police service increasingly deals with mental health issues. According to research done by the Centre for Mental Health at least 15 per cent of police work touches on this area. Mental health is currently making significant demands on policing. Better diversion and support could reduce that, freeing up officers to fight crime, and more importantly ensuring improved services for those who are ill.

Crimes against those with mental health problems have also become a key point of concern. The Equality and Human Rights Commission recently authored a report 'Hidden in Plain Sight' which looked at the extent of harassment toward disabled people.

10 Policing as a national service

National Structures and Co-ordination and the Future Landscape of Policing

In this country our model of policing is founded upon the local, delivered through police forces across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, each independent of one another.

Unlike other sectors such as the military or National Health Service, Chief Constables’ Council is the senior there is no central structure with a role in directing operational policing. decision-making body for ACPO. It brings together the chief constables of police Therefore in the public interest and, in equal and active partnership forces in England, Wales and Northern with Government and the Association of Police Authorities (and Ireland and the chief constables of Association of Police and Crime Commissioners in future), ACPO the British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police, Civil Nuclear leads and coordinates the direction and development of the police Constabulary, Director General of the service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Serious Organised Crime Agency and the Chief Executive of the National Policing Improvement Agency. It meets quarterly In a 44 Force structure there are times a terrorist attack or operations requiring and is chaired by the ACPO President. when a national response needs to be co- mutual aid such as the August riots. ordinated as one. In such times of national need, ACPO - on behalf of all chief officers PNICC supports the police team that work - co-ordinates the strategic policing alongside nominated chief officers and “The Association brings together the response. This is facilitated through the government representatives sitting in expertise and experience of chief ACPO Police National Information Co- COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Room) at police officers from England, Wales ordination Centre (PNICC). PNICC works times of national crisis. PNICC also handles and Northern Ireland, providing a to ensure policing resilience during major support to overseas crises involving UK professional forum to share ideas and events such as the emergency response nationals, such as the 2004 Tsunami. best practice, coordinate resources to serious flooding, the investigation of and help deliver effective policing which keeps the public safe.”

Other areas of national coordination ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) is are informed when people travel to the exist within the ACPO Business a national unit that provides a centre of European Union and are convicted of Areas. There are 14 Business Areas, excellence in recording and using criminal crimes. The ACRO Criminology and Forensic 340 chief officers making up ACPO records, fingerprints and DNA. It plays a Research portfolio provides research in the and 336 separate police functions significant role in delivering operational field of criminology, particularly around the or types of crime (‘portfolios’) that benefits to law enforcement agencies retention and use of criminal records and are nationally led and coordinated and has a vital role in issuing police biometric information. by a Chief Constable, ranging from certificates for emigration purposes. police use of firearms to metal theft. These roles are supported inside and ACRO responsibilities include the United outside the police service by the ACPO Kingdom Central Authority for the Communications Team which responds Exchange of Criminal Records (UKCA- to media enquiries concerning national ECR) which was set up in 2006 following policing and crime reduction. In future a European Framework Decision. It is the non-operational elements of these responsible for working with the other Business Areas will be taken on by the 26 European Union Member States to College of Policing. ensure that their relevant authorities

11 Strategic Policing The SPR (published July 31, 2012) is a national strategy document that lays out the national requirement from forces in terms of manpower Requirement (SPR) and resources.

The SPR focuses on those areas where the When having regard to the SPR police and The National Police Air Service Government has responsibility for ensuring crime commissioners and chief constables was designed to provide a national that sufficient capabilities are in place to are advised to consider other professional air service, regionally coordinated respond to serious and cross-force threats. assessments made by the police and other for local delivery to the 43 territorial Chief Constables and PCCs are required to law enforcement organisations, such as police forces in England and Wales. have “regard” to the SPR. It does not cover the National Policing Requirement It replaced the previous structure, areas where chief constables and police Documents as agreed by Chief whereby police forces operate their and crime commissioners are able to make Constable’s Council. own helicopters individually or in small effective local risk assessments. consortia, in October 2012.

The NPIA was formed in April 2007 to The NPIA contribute to improving public safety by providing critical national services, building capability across the police Governance and oversight of the service and providing professional National DNA Database is provided expertise to police forces and authorities. by the National DNA Database Strategy The NPIA is now being phased out Board. It operates under the tripartite and will cease to exist in December Between April 1 2011 and March 31 arrangements for the governance of 2012. Elements of the work have been 2012, the National DNA Database policing, comprising members from allocated to other organisations. produced 124 matches to murder, 522 to the ACPO, the Home Office/ NPIA rapes and 28,996 to other crime scenes. and APA. Representatives from the Human Genetics Commission and the Its management of critical information technology ICT infrastructure and its support Information Commissioners Office also in developing new ways of working is expected to form part of the new Police ICT sit on the Strategy Board. Company, owned by PCCs. The NPIA support and manage on behalf of the service a number of critical ICT systems, for instance the Police National Database and HOLMES.

College of Policing In December 2011, the Home Secretary announced plans for the creation of a professional body for the police service, and in July 2012 it was announced that the College of Policing will be established by the end of 2012.

This body will take on some of the providing frameworks for standards to be responsibilities of the NPIA and the non- tested and achievement rewarded; and by Police and Crime operational work of the ACPO Business supporting national business areas. Areas. A solid framework for working with Commissioners universities and others to develop the It will be chaired by someone independent evidence base for policing is an exciting of the police service and its board will opportunity for UK policing. have an equal balance of police and non- The police service is working hard to police representatives, including PCCs. ensure a smooth transition to the Police The College will identify evidence of and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) taking what works in policing and share best up office. ACPO and other policing practice: by providing access to a body bodies are working closely with the of knowledge that is informed by newly formed Association of Police evidence-based research and therefore and Crime Commissioners to achieve enable the service to develop the that end. The police service has worked capabilities needed. closely with Government to establish The College will set and enhance first- a protocol governing the relationship class national standards of professionalism between a PCC and a police force. PCCs by developing a set of nationally agreed will have to pay due regard to it and standards for officers and staff to attain; their responsibilities to national policing beyond their local commitments.

12 The National Crime Agency (NCA) is accountable to the Home Secretary and will work National Crime with forces to tackle serious and organised crime. It will build on the work of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, Agency and will incorporate some of the functions of the National Policing Improvement Agency which fit the agency’s crime fighting remit. The Director General will be appointed by the Home Secretary, but will be operationally independent. They will decide which operations the NCA should run against which organised crime groups, and how those operations should be conducted. They will also, uniquely, have a power in The NCA will be made up of extremis to direct local police forces to deploy resources against specific targets. four commands:

• the Organised Crime Command will target organised crime groups operating across local, national and international borders. The command will work with police forces and other agencies to ensure that prioritised and appropriate action is taken against every organised crime group identified • the Border Policing Command will ensure that all law enforcement agencies operating in and around the border work to clear, mutually-agreed priorities, ensuring illegal goods are seized, illegal immigrants are dealt with and networks of organised criminals are targeted and disrupted, both overseas and at ports up and down the UK • the Economic Crime Command will provide the capability to deal with fraud and economic crimes, including those carried out by organised criminals • the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre will work with industry, government, children’s charities and law enforcement to protect children from sexual abuse and bring offenders to account.

Holding the police to account

The police service is about to undergo several of the most significant changes to its accountability structure since its creation in 1829. Being directly accountable to a single individual is a new dynamic for policing and the police service has been striving to ensure that systems are in place to ensure forces continue to deliver the service expected of them in this period of change.

There is also a change of direction for Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary which will be taking on a more regulatory role in future. The recent appointment of a non-police officer Chief Inspector of Constabulary confirms this direction of travel.

Police and Crime The debate about the introduction of PCCs is well rehearsed, but the direct political element they may bring to policing is still an unknown Commissioners quantity. The most important and central tenet to the British model of policing is that of impartiality; originally described by Peel:

“Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.”

This principle is still retained in the oath that all officers swear to the Crown. It is through ‘operational independence’, which Government is committed to maintain, that Chief Constables are given the opportunity to act impartially.

13 The Protocol sets out how the new policing governance arrangements will work. It The Protocol clarifies the role and responsibilities of PCCs, MOPAC, chief constables, police and crime panels and the London assembly police and crime panel. It outlines what these bodies are expected to do and how they should work together to fight crime and improve policing.

The Chief Constable The PCC is the recipient of all funding, The PCC will have control of a significant The Chief Constable is responsible for including the government grant and budget and some areas currently subject maintaining the Queen‘s Peace, and has precept and other sources of income, to ring-fence will be freed up to be used direction and control over the force‘s related to policing and crime reduction as the Commissioner wishes. There is officers and staff. The Chief Constable and all funding for a force must come via also an emphasis on the commissioning holds office under the Crown, but is the PCC. How this money is allocated is a of services, something that has been appointed by the PCC except in London matter for the PCC in consultation with widespread across the health services where the Commissioner and Deputy the Chief Constable, or in accordance and local government for a number Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis with any grant terms. The Chief of years but not in delivering certain are appointed by the Queen on the Constable will provide professional aspects of policing. recommendation of the Home Secretary. advice and recommendations.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission

The IPCC’s primary statutory purpose is to increase public confidence in the police complaints system in England and Wales. The IPCC was established by the Police Reform Act and became operational in April 2004. It is independent of the police, government and complainants. The IPCC is also responsible for serious complaints relating to staff at the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and for serious complaints and conduct matters relating to officers and officials at the UK Border Agency (UKBA).

Her Majesty’s Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) independently Inspectorate of assesses police forces and policing across activity from neighbourhood teams to serious crime and the fight against terrorism Constabulary – in the public interest.

HM Inspectors of Constabulary are to parliament on the efficiency and conduct reviews of their respective appointed by the Crown; they are not effectiveness of police forces in England forces. HMIC will also offer assistance in employees of the police service or and Wales. the appointment, or disciplining of a chief government. HM Inspectors have powers constable (if requested). to seek information from police forces In future Police and Crime Commissioners and to access their premises and report will be able to commission HMIC to

The Policing Mission

Schedule 4 Police Act 1996:

“I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and that while I continue to hold the said office I will, to the best of my skill and knowledge, discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to the law”

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