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MovedGoalPosts · 10-02-2005, 17:56

So it comes down to the choice of: should or should not communities be able to influence the local policing priorities.

The issue is one of accountability (the police are not elected - and in my view should not be elected - unlike the USA sherrif systems), yet the authority that manages them are also not elected.

OK so government (or at least the Home Secretary) being elected sets an overview for the policing strategies, and legislation says what the police can and cannot do, and what their duties to the public are in maintaining law and order. But national priorities may not reflect the needs of the more local communities.

Yes power shouldnt be in the hands of a single person, i.e. the tories commissioner, that risks too great a distortion. A larger quorum must exist to safeguard against this. Maybe the policing authority would best be formed through the county level councillors?

10-02-2005, 17:56	#7
MovedGoalPosts Inactive Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: 127.0.0.1 Age: 62 Posts: 15,868	Re: I think this is a stupid Idea So it comes down to the choice of: should or should not communities be able to influence the local policing priorities. The issue is one of accountability (the police are not elected - and in my view should not be elected - unlike the USA sherrif systems), yet the authority that manages them are also not elected. OK so government (or at least the Home Secretary) being elected sets an overview for the policing strategies, and legislation says what the police can and cannot do, and what their duties to the public are in maintaining law and order. But national priorities may not reflect the needs of the more local communities. Yes power shouldnt be in the hands of a single person, i.e. the tories commissioner, that risks too great a distortion. A larger quorum must exist to safeguard against this. Maybe the policing authority would best be formed through the county level councillors?