AC 3.1-explain the role of agencies in social control Flashcards
Who summed the philosophy of the police and what year?
Sir Robert Peel-1829
What are the five philosophies of the police according to Sir Robert Peel?
1) The basic mission of the police is to prevent crime and disorder
2) The police’s ability to perform their duties depends on the publics cooperation and approval
3) The use of physical force is a last resort
4) The police’s duty is to impartially serve the law
5) The police are the public and the public are the police (meaning police must also uphold the law)
What does the Police Code of Ethics state?
Police are public servants who need to maintain the respect and support of the public in order to perform their duties
What are the four aims and objectives of the police?
1) Keep peace and maintain order
2) Protect life and poverty
3) Prevent, detect and investigate crime
4) Bring offenders to justice
What specific legal powers do the police have under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984?
They have the legal power to stop, question, search, arrest, detain in a police station and interview a member of the public in relation to the crime
What three sources provided the £15.2 billion police budget in 2020/21?
1) Two thirds comes from central government
2) Most from local council tax
3) Small amount comes charging for services such as policing football matches
By how much did the funding fall between 2010-2018 and what were the consequences for the police?
19%
This led to 20,000 less officers and by 2020 there were only 123,000 officers throughout England and Wales by 2020
What are the four working practises of the police?
1) National and local search
2) Types of criminality and offender
3) Police duties
4) Specialist policing
For the national and local reach, how many regional police forces are there in England and Wales? Give an example of two
39 regional police forces eg. the Metropolitan Police and South Wales Police
What other specialist police organisations are there in the UK apart from the Met police?
National Crime Agency
British Transport Police
Border Force
For the types of criminality and offenders, what specialist law enforcement agency deals with certain types of crime and criminals? (police)
HM Revenue and Customs deals with tax evasion and tax fraud
What are the six police duties?
1) Patrolling a particular area
2) Working with the community
3) Responding to publics calls for assistance (both routine and emergency)
4) Securing crime scenes
5) Gathering evidence from witnesses
6) Apprehending offenders
For specialist policing, what are the three most common departments in police forces?
1) Criminal Investigations Department (CID)
2) Fraud and drugs squad
3) Special Branch
For specialist policing, what are the six less common specialist units?
1) Covert operations and surveillance teams
2) Traffic and mounted police
3) Air support
4) River police
5) Underwater search teams
6) Dog handler units
What other policing specialists operate nationally as part of the National Crime Agency?
Child exploitation and online protection (CEOP)
What is unarmed policing and how does this reflect Peels philosophy?
When the police don’t carry weapons on themselves
Reflects Peels philosophy that the use of force should be used as a last resort in upholding the law
What are special constables? (police)
Unpaid, part time volunteers who undergo the same training and have the same legal powers as paid officers
What are Police Community Support Officers (PCSO’s)? Give an example
PSCO’s work in neighbourhood policing teams to deal with/prevent crime
They have limited powers when dealing with anti social behaviour eg. can only issue fixed penalties for littering
They may also ask an officer to arrest someone
What are the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC’s)?
Elected representatives of people in area covered by a police force which give the local population a voice in policing by being directly accountable to the electorate
What are the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCC’s) aims?
To cut crime and ensure efficient and effective policing
What is the CPS?
The CPS prosecute criminal cases that have been investigated by police and other investigative organisations in England and Wales
When was the CPS established?
It was set up in 1986 under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1985
Why did the CPS take over the prosecuting role from the police?
There was a risk of bias in allowing police to investigate and prosecute cases
What are the five philosophy and values of the CPS?
1) Independence and fairness (prosecuting without bias)
2) Honesty and openness
3) Treating everyone with respect
4) Behaving professionally and striving for excellence
5) Equality and Inclusion
What are the five aims and objectives of the CPS?
1) Advise police in investigations about lines of inquiry and evidence needed to build a case
2) Independently assesses evidence submitted by police
3) Decide whether to prosecute and if so what charges should be given
4) Prepare prosecution cases and present it in court
5) Assist, inform and support victims and prosecution witnesses
Where does the funding for the CPS come from and what is their budget?
Most comes from the government, the rest is recovered when courts award costs against defendants with about half a billion pounds per year
By how much did the funding fall in 2018 and what were the consequences for the CPS?
25%
The CPS had lost a third of its staff which let to concerns of poor/less effective performances
What are the two working types for the CPS?
1) Types of criminality and offender
2) National and local reach
What type of criminality does the CPS deal with?
Some very minor offences, but typically takes responsibility for all serious cases
How many regional area teams prosecute cases locally for the CPS?
14
Who is the CPS headed by and what is their role?
The Chief Crown Prosecutor works closely with local police forces and other criminal justice partners
When the CPS decides whether or not to prosecute a case, what two tests are used?
1) The evidential test
2) The public interest test