Debate on the Police
Just watched a report on the future of policing on Newsnight (what can I say I couldn’t find Cartoon Network)
I think the way things are now, we may have to go European in our approach to policing (I know I can’t believe I just said that either ). National, Regional and Local policing.
Money is tight. So just some thoughts.
One - Police shouldn’t be used to guard ex PM’s especially ones making a mint, they can pay for it themselves.
Two - Royalty protection left to units from the Army/Armed Forces.
Three - Diplomatic Protection left to Security Sector. Police only were really required.
Four - National Police based on British Transport Police who cover all Airports, Seaports (this could merge with Borders agency and then they would have Police Powers - one call you could seal the country), Road and Rail Networks included. All other Tunnel, Port Police come under this force. MOD Police and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary also taken on to guard key parts of infrastructure, Power Stations, Military sites.
To use an example - the above force stop drugs coming into the country.
Five - Regional Police - roughly based on counties or suitable small mergers (big is not always beautiful).
This group target drugs gangs and dealers.
Six - Local Police teams dealing with all the grief that grinds societies down.
These target the drugs users.
Seven - Other law enforcers brought back. Park Keepers, Teachers, Bus Conductors, supported not prosecuted.
Eight - Power given back to the public (I know… fancy that one too). So if they see someone commiting an offence and they detain them. They don’t get arrested for false imprisonment, they get support.
I worry that in this crazy state that if a a crazed knife-man went into a school (its happened remember) that if there was a chance to lock them in a room and safe the pupils, staff and public. You could get arrested…again call me old fashioned, but is that not…er…stupid?
Also the same applies to using force.
Ten - what happened to nine?
Nine - Are there it is. Broken windows works, it was used by the Royal Parks Police, and the Royal Parks were havens of peace and tranquility and very well maintained. They got rid of the Royal Parks Police.
Ten - Review all Police jobs. Some can be done by non uniformed and warranted staff, others stay as Police Officers only.
Eleven - Don’t put PCSO’s in cars, that defeats the object, you made that mistake before, remember?
Twelve - Joint purchasing or a limited selection (say three types of cars - just in case they have to recall one model). With a buy British theme, unless it is the best piece of kit and comes from somewhere else.
Thirteen - Use expert witnesses only, then you don’t need any DNA, SOCO’s etc Quicker prosecutions and cheaper…sort of. Okay so I slipped that one in.
Fourteen - Standardise all warrant cards, so that whoever flashes their card the public will know who they are, it can (and should) be well advertised.
Fifteen - Training for young and old on responsibilities and Public benefiting skills, first aid, the law, etc etc
Sixteen - Create a National Fraud team…covering all Government bodies. No probs with the misunderstanding that they can’t share data because of the Data Protection Act ect as its all the same team, based regionally. Given appropriate powers.
Seventeen - Create a National Security Team - covering all Government bodies, dealing with staff safety and the protection of premises and equipment. Millions disappear with equipment sold overseas etc. Bring back Civil Defence volunteers and SAR teams in every county.
Eighteen - Make Gene Hunt responsible for UK policing - couldn’t resist
Nineteen - Let the Police prosecute lower cases and allow the CPS to concentrate on the serious stuff. Dodgy MP’s and the like.
Twenty - that will do for now …
But other things could include if someone isn’t prosecuted because of ill health and then makes a recovery…they go back to court or prison. Why bother going in front of a magistrate if the case is way above what they can do. Safe the slots for something more worthwhile.