Accountable Police?

[Kromovaracun]

So, this morning I was merrily reading this article in this week's Economist. I recommend taking a look - it's quite an interesting read.

Anyway, the reason I've posted it here is that later in the article, the author essentially argues for some kind of democratic influence over the police. When reading it, I really didn't know what I thought of this, so I thought I'd ask the AB community what they think of the notion so I can read the debate.

So, the question - obviously - is: what do you think?

[R1Geezer]

Good Idea, the yanks do it, essentially the chief of police is elected just like all the other politicians. Ask yourself how many of our chief constables would have their jobs if they where elected, I think very few. They obviously would be more politicised but they are now anyway, it';s just we can't kick their ar5es out when they turn out to be a crock of sh1t.

[sense4all]

The people who need to be 'taken in hand' are the policy setters. I think the ideology of influenced policing is fine, but the practical application is so open to abuse and corruption I'd rather swerve it all together.

[jake-the-peg]

I think that we all know the sort of people who would end up as elected Police comissioners don't we!

There's always been a problem getting a good social cross-section onto magistrates benchs - want comfortably off retired people with the time to devote to this - no problem.

The problem would most likely be that you'd end up with Policing that does not reflect the agenda of the whole community but rather of one portion of it.

Lots of effort against stopping kids hanging around in the evening and less resorces against brethalising people coming out of the Golf Club's annual do.

I can see why it appeals to the Tories!

I think the Police probably need less rather than more outside interference

[ruby27]

I haven't thought or read enough on the subject of policing to have much of an opinion - I look forward to others contributions. My only limited insight is that in USA there is a belief that the system of Sherrifs being elected has lead to a degree of corruption where law enforcement can be bought or unpopular but maybe effective laws are not enforced, all to ensure re election

Certainly other public services are much more shaped by consumer/service recipient input. I would be interested to know how the public would have an input. Would it be the politically aware middle classes who historically have been active in forums such as school governors or would it attract you shoot em hang em brigade as often seen here.

If there is locally, a slot for wishy washy doogooding liberal sandal eating, yoghurt wearing liberal, I shall sign up and get the laws I want enforcing.

Just off to think what is suitable punishment for what I consider grave misdemeanour's - like maybe those people and don't a dead dormouse to be the most tragic occurence

[New Judge]

Ask yourself this, though, Geezer:

How many of our politicians would have their jobs if we elected them and we knew what they would do after elected?

[jake-the-peg]

Taking advice from the States on crime prevention is a little bit like taking navigation lessions from Mark Thatcher.

They have appalling crime figures *and* the highest prison population in the world nearly 1% of the population in jail

[Gromit]

In theory, the system we have now should work better. Local councillors are co-opted onto the police authority, and it is their job to see that the police are performing their functions adequately. We the public have neither the time or inclination to do this ourselves, so we appoint a representative on our behalf. But this system fails because of our apathy: at local elections, 70% of us cannot be bothered to vote.

But, policing policy is decided nationally, in parliament. Unfortunately, Labour have run out of ideas and instead just react to headlines in a perpetual damage limitation exercise. The papers says something is bad (and it often isn't) and the Government make an announcement about it. The police are caught in the middle of this headless chicken policy making.

[jno]

so they'd run for office: Tory wannabes would promise to lock up knife-wielders, Labour ones would target white-collar crime. Personally, I'd prefer both to be targeted. Would I have that choice if police chiefs ran, and were elected, on manifestos? Better, I think, for an elected parliament to decide what's illegal and an independent police force to police it.

Incidentally, regarding local control - is there really an epidemic of knife crime sweeping Britain? Or is it just London, but reported in such a way as to make villagers in the shires tremble in their beds? if the latter, would the villagers insist a locally-controlled police force concentrate on an outbreak of knifings that wasn't in fact happening anywhere near them?

[Oneeyedvic]

I have just become part of a project in the local area.

It is called KIN (Key Individual Network).

Currently, the police (in my local area) have about 11 problem areas, from anti social behaviour, through to parking issues.

They freely admit that they can't deal effectively with all these problems. The KIN has been set up to allow local people to prioritise the problems.

We are given a list of the 11 items, discuss these areas and what can be done with them, and then democratically vote on the three that we think are the biggest issues for the police to tackle.

There are about 9 of these KINs in the borough.

We have only had two meetings so far, and we meet quarterly, so it will be interesting to know how it bears out.