An Institute of Police Science?
| Published date | 01 January 1971 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X7104400123 |
| Date | 01 January 1971 |
| Subject Matter | An Institute of Police Science? |
AN INSTITUTE OF
POLICE
SCIENCE?
Dear
Sir,
The establishment of an institute of
Police Science or something similar
has been discussed with more and more
frequency over the past few years
wherever senior police officers meet,
but
usually at police colleges.
No
doubt
this is because at such places
police suddenly realise the amount
of knowledge required in the modern
Police Service and believe that it
should be recognized.
Your
readers
will recall Chief Supt. E. W. Whit-
more's article in your issue of June,
1970.
However, is it really necessary for
such an institution to be formed and
will it be of any more significance to
the public
than
the present system of
police training?
I believe
that
police training has
very little meaning to the public. They
accept the fact
that
there must be
police and
that
they are trained and
also
that
there are advanced police
training colleges. However, other
than
that
they are not really interested.
It
is realized
that
in other pro-
fessions a successful candidate receives
a recognized qualification. However,
doctors, engineers, lawyers, State
Registered nurses and other pro-
fessional people are not trained in
what is in effect a "closed shop".
When these people have their various
degrees or diplomas there is a great
demand for their services from all
sections
of
trade and commerce.
They can be placed by all types of
employers in their respective capacities
from government positions to private
companies of all types down to a
State Registered Nurse employed by
one individual. They can of course
also be self-employed. In such circum-
stances they must of necessity require
a recognized qualification.
Police do not need such a diploma
because we do not have the choice
of employers as in other professions.
A man usually spends his entire
90
career in one police system where his
capabilities and potential are well
known.
Where is the market for a person
holding aDiploma of Police Science?
It
is woefully restricted. Possibly a
position as a security officer with a
large organisation will be available
but is a Diploma of Police Science
really necessary? In other words,
what use is such a diploma outside the
Police Service? Compared with all
other types of degrees and qualifica-
tions very little at all.
Is a Diploma of Police Science going
to be appreciated by the public? If it is
to be kept within the Police Service
then I doubt it very much. The public
will look upon it as just another police
training scheme and examination
and they will, in time, expect their
police to possess the diploma as a
matter of course.
If
such a diploma was also available
to the public, as it is, I believe, in parts
of the United States of America, then
it might make some impression.
However, do we really need a
diploma to show the public
that
we
know
our
own business? Is the fact
that we have a diploma going to im-
press them more than knowing that
their own force has the best possible
training, is honest and efficiently
carries out all requirements
that
are
demanded
of
it?
By all means bring
members up to the level required for
the diploma as part of the training
schedule but this should be an internal
matter for the good of the Police
Service.
As a final thought are we not trying,
by the medium of some dubious
letters after
our
names (which are
useless outside the Police Service), to
boost
our
own egos?
F.EDNEY
Inspector,
Commonwealth Police Force,
Australia.
January 1971
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