TOPIC 5 - The Criminal Justice System & Agencies Of Social Control

Question 1

What are the overall roles and responsibilities of the police?

Answer 1

The police are divided into constabularies around the country
- they investigate crimes
- prevent crimes from occuring
- collect evidence and identify witnesses
- maintain social order and support welfare of citizens
- investigate, arrest and question suspects
- provide evidence in court cases

Question 2

The police - Philosophy

Answer 2

The police’s underlying philosophy is to keep society safe and cut levels of crime
- they make targets and be tough on crime
- they aim to not discriminate, be ethical and treat everyone fairly
- try to remain professional at all times, show integrity, courage and compassion to vulnerable people

Question 3

The police - Aims and Objectives

Answer 3

• protect the public/ society
• deter and reduce crime rate levels within society
• support of victims
• provide external social control to encourage conformity to social rules

Question 4

How is the police funded?

Answer 4

Majority of the police funding comes from central government grants
- the funding comes from HM treasury through the home office
- a third of police funding comes from their share in local tax
- the majority of this money is distributed to Police and Crime Commissioners to allocate to their local constabularies while the rest is allocated for specific things like Counter- Terrorism.

Question 5

Example/ Evidence how the police are funded:

Answer 5

For 2024-25 the government has set a settlement of up to £18.4 billion with £10.7 billion of this is given to police and crime commissioners, and counter-terrorism funding which is just over £1 billion.

Question 6

Police - working practices

Answer 6

• Policing in England and Wales is divided into 43 constabularies around the country within which there are currently 148,886 police officers
• However - certain roles within the police are shared across constabularies such as geographical profilers.
• Overall the police are directly responsible for enforcing the law and therefore have jobs such as responding to ermegency and non-emergency reports from public.
• there are also various divisions for dealing with speciifc situations including SOCOs, forensic specialists, armed response teams and cyber crime divisions.

Question 7

What is an example of the police performing their role?

Answer 7

• if there was a 999 call placed b y someone fearing that their house was being burgled the police would attend the scene to investigate and arrest anyone engaging in criminal activity.