The Way Back?
I must begin by offering my sincere apologies for the lack of blogging over the last few months. I confess I’ve had no real appetite for writing. I wouldn’t wish to waste anyone’s time with drivel or portray myself as an authority on all things policing, which I certainly am not. Furthermore, systemic failings within the justice system are ongoing and merely a variation on a theme, the causes of which have been illustrated ad infinitum on police blogs countrywide. I would like to think that, even in its smallest measure, the information provided by this website has broadened public understanding of the reasons why the current system of policing is no longer adequate and how a lack of understanding, interest and long-term commitment by successive Home Secretaries has led to quick wins and fatuous short term measures. Only with a detailed understanding of the complexities of policing and a committed personal interest in police reform can the trend of the last forty years be reversed. I have made every effort to facilitate a greater awareness among opposition MPs regarding the problems a lack of understanding and long-term commitment to law and order have caused. Therefore, I believe any obligation I took it upon myself to accept has been fulfilled as far as possible within the realm of what can be achieved by one person of inconsiderable means.
All that’s left for me to do is thank you all for your kindness and support of the Real Policing petition and also the personal messages of encouragement you have sent me during the past year. The petition itself closes this Sunday evening, 30th March, 2008, at midnight. Shortly after I shall submit the petition for presentation to Ministers. I also wish to thank all the officers with whom I trained and served for their professionalism, intergrity and fortitude despite a lack of support from senior officers more preoccupied with satisfying central diktats than supporting front line officers and protecting the public. Never again should officious Whitehall micro management of the police be considered acceptable particularly in light of the propensity of senior officers to exercise little resistance. If Chief Constables are to be answerable to anyone let it be those who truly have a stake in the policing of their local communities. I know very little about local accountability but I believe it may sit better with us all knowing that Chief Constables and Commissioners are accountable to the many rather than the few. Furthermore, the success of local accountability depends upon us, the stakeholders, holding senior officers accountable.
A more immediate cause for concern is what the Government is going to do with what remains of our police force. It’s true that 90% of what a police officer does can indeed be done by someone else. Any jack-of-all-trades officer run ragged and bogged down will tell you that. The question is, what is essentially a task for an officer to complete and what isn’t? Undoubtedly, it will also be cheaper to pay someone less than a police officer to complete the same task. However, it again comes down to the issue of quantity over quality. The role of the constable ought to be considered with as much regard to providing quality and efficiency of service as financial expediency and value for money. It is essential that an operational officer has a broad understanding of the various stages of the investigative process. While that doesn’t justify leaving absolutely everything to the officer to do, it is necessary that they know how their actions, or lack thereof, may prejudice the outcome of an investigation. If rampant civilianising is the way forward (or the way back) it does beg the question how will refocussing the role of constable and potentially reducing their knowledge base improve the quality of service to the public? If there is no necessity for an officer to know something which is no longer their responsibility then so be it but how far is it wise to go? Ultimately, keeping boots on the ground for the maximum amount of time to deter and reassure is the solution to the problem. Will prospective reform proposals change merely that which needs to be changed in order to achieve such a simple objective or will we inherit a new set of problems as a result of throwing the baby out with the bathwater?
