Real Policing

In light of our ongoing pay dispute with the Government it would be all too easy to jump on the bandwagon and take a swipe at those who run this country.  However, at the present time there are other issues within the police service which require alteration and more importantly some stability for officers on the front line. 

I am a serving officer working within CID.  The constabulary with whom I am employed introduces new ideas week in and week out.  For instance we have now been told that all files must be placed in envelopes prior to submitting them to, say, the Criminal Justice Unit or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).  Whilst I understand that these files may contain sensitive material and other matters of a confidential nature, I fail to see why this request has been made.  I cannot recall a time during my somewhat lengthy police service when such an issue has been so important. Yes, I understand that certain government related documents have been lost of late but these have no connection with the police.  This practice appears to be another bureaucratic waste of money.

Next, the method of obtaining a decision to charge on a crime file has changed beyond recognition.  We have one CPS lawyer working in our station between the hours of 9am-5pm, or thereabouts, Monday to Friday.  When this system was first introduced it worked reasonably well.  At the present time the system can be likened to a doctors’ surgery.  We are asked to fill in a daily sheet which contains 6 appointment slots.  It is clear that currently these sheets are being completed up to four days in advance.  If you have a live prisoner in custody on a day when the CPS diary is full it becomes a battle to see a lawyer.  How much longer before someone from management suggests that we implement an electronic buzzer similar to those found in a surgery?  It is little wonder that the average prisoner can now expect a longer period in detention because of this ridiculous method?  Cutbacks may well be necessary in the current climate but for heavens sake here we are in 2008 using ideas which equate with the ark.  

Without wishing to criticise unduly the role played by the CPS, one has to question some of the charging decisions they make.  I was recently asked to put together a full court file for one of our regular visitors to our custody complex.  I submitted the file to the CPS expecting to hear that the offender had received a custodial sentence for one of his many ASBOs.  Alas, I should have known better.  Just the other day I was informed that my case was dropped as the offender had a similar case against him.  His sentence, believe it or not, was a £5 fine and a conditional discharge.  What message does this send out?  British justice…?

In addition, one has to mention morale.  Just prior to Christmas there were a number of large posters placed in prominent areas within our station.  The posters pointed out the fact that our division required a number of further detections in order to meet a specified percentage.  Detections, detections, detections.  I assume our area commander received his bonus.  Did he thank us?  I think those of us with our feet firmly planted know the answer!

The amount of paperwork being completed by officers has not decreased in the slightest since I joined the service.  Only the other week I was advised that I had to submit numerous forms in relation to a domestic violence case I was dealing with.  These forms are both time consuming and purely for statistical purposes. 

My force is now about to embark upon a change in the way we police the county.  Whilst I appreciate some may view this as a positive step forward these alterations have been used by previous chief constables only for someone else to take over and change it all again.  Change for change sake springs to mind.  We have seen the best years of being a police constable in this country.  Sadly, I for one cannot see a return to practical policing under the current climate.