The police service Flashcards
what is the aims of the police service?
The aim of the police is to reduce crime and maintain law and order.
This involves the protection of life and property, preservation of the peace, and prevention and detection of criminal offences.
They do this by working alongside communities and having the statutory powers of: arrest, detention, search, interview.
Their powers are substantially contained in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984.
how is the police service funded?
In England and Wales, the main source of income for the 43 geographic police forces is central government grant made available through the annual Home Office Police Grant Report.
Some of their income is also raised through council tax.
Their main source of income is a central government grant and council tax.
Police can also charge for some of their special services. These are police services provided over and above core policing at the request of a person or organisations such as football matches and pop concerts.
what is the police services philosophy?
The basic mission of the police is to prevent crime and disorder
The police’s ability to perform their duties depends on the public’s co-operation and approval.
The use of physical force is the last resort.
The police’s duty is to impartially serve the law.
The police are the public and the public are the police.
The police are just citizens in uniform, paid to do full time what all citizens must do, that is, uphold the law.
what is the type of criminality the police service target?
There are also ‘specialist operations’ in the police, with branches covering a wide range of functions, including:
Anti-terrorism
Covert operations
Diplomatic protection
Firearms
Drugs
Royal protection
Special branch
Dog handlers
River police
Mounted police
what is the working practices of the police?
Work alongside communities, liaising with community groups and individuals; conduct patrol duties
Develop community knowledge; respond to calls and requests from the public to assist at incidents;
Keep the peace at public meetings, social events, processions, trade disputes or strikes;
Interview suspects, victims and witnesses in accordance with relevant legislation;
Conduct arrests;
Prepare crime reports and present case files to senior officers and the Crown Prosecution Service;
Attend and give evidence in court and at other hearings.
All police forces have teams of officers who are responsible for general beat duties and response to emergency and non-emergency calls from the public.
what is the reach of the police service?
Today there are:
45 territorial police forces in the UK
39 in England
4 in Wales
Single forces each covering Scotland and N. Ireland
There are also some national law enforcement agencies, including the National Crime Agency and the British Transport PoliWork on the front line providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Also, Special Constables who are trained force volunteers possessing the full range of policing powers; give up part of their spare time to provide policing support. They are not paid but are entitled to claim reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their role.
