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The police in Britain are organized very differently from any other country. Most countries
have a national police force which is controlled by central Government. Britain has no national police
force although the police is supervised by the central Government’s Home Office.
There is a separate police force for each of 52 areas into which the country is
divided. Each has a police authority – a committee of local county councilors and
magistrates. The policing of London is in the hands of the Metropolitan Police Force
with headquarters at New Scotland Yard. The forces co-operate with each other but
it is unusual for members of one force to operate in another’s area unless they are
asked to give assistance.
One of the important powers of the police which has caused much difficulty and controversy is
the power to question or interview persons suspected of crime. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act
1984provides numerous laws to protect people in England who are being interviewed by the police.
All members of the British police must gain a certain level of academic qualifications at school
and undergo a period of intensive training. The career structure in the British police force allows to be
promoted from constable to sergeant, then through inspector and superintendant to chief constable. In
London the Head of the Force is called the Metropolitan Commissioner. He heads the force which now
has more than 25,000 police officers
– one-fifth of all the officers in England and Wales. The police
are helped by a number of special constables
– members of the public who work for the police
voluntarily for a few hours a week. Women make up about 10 per cent of the police force.
In most countries the police carry guns. The British police generally do not carry firearms,
except in Northern Ireland. In certain circumstances specially trained police officers can be armed, for
instance, those who guard politicians and diplomats or who patrol airports but only with the signed
permission of a magistrate.
The police now use advanced modern equipment. This ranges from motorbikes and squad cars
to helicopters. It includes the most advanced surveillance aids and access to the Police National
Computer and the facilities of the Forensic Science Service. This service runs highly sophisticated
laboratories where forensic scientists carry out the scientific examination of exhibits.
Ever since the first police force in England was founded, the police have come under criticism
– for denying civil liberties, for failing to catch criminals or for catching the wrong people. These
cases which have resulted in serious injustice have had a profound effect upon the whole criminal
justice system and, of course, the police and the manner in which they carry out their duties. They have
also resulted in very significant changes in the law.
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