An Open Letter to the Police Service
| Published date | 01 September 1961 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6103400503 |
| Date | 01 September 1961 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
The following Open Letter has been written by an experienced and
senior member
of
the Police Service. We have no doubt that it will
arouse strong feelings and weshall be glad to consider letters from our
readers with a view to publication.
An
Open
Letter
to
the
Poliee
Serviee
If
the Police Service is not careful it will lose its job. Today we are
getting dangerously near reverting to the system of Bow Street
Runners. Let everyone in authority reflect and reckon up the
number of independent law enforcement organizations in existence
today-security
guards, private investigators, motoring organiz-
ations etc. Their numbers are alarming; they grow in strength
daily and by forming their own associations they are becoming
powers to be reckoned with. The June issue of the Security Gazette
reproduces on its front cover a photograph of H.R.H. The Duke
of Edinburgh inspecting one such organization.
Even in our Courts and in the treatment of offenders we are losing
our grip.
Why? Because the Service of late years has
not
faced squarely
its responsibilities, accepted them and pointed the way to fulfilment.
The tendency today is to find a way out without accepting responsi-
bility, and these outside organizations are cashing in on our hesitancy.
A valuable cargo is to be transported from A to B; the police are
informed and asked to help ensure its safety. What is the average
reaction to such a request? Surely today it is this: it is
not
our
responsibility; we are not employees of your firm; it is for you
to make your own arrangements. When faced with this rebuff
what other course is open to the applicant, or supplicant (call him
what you will)? Naturally he turns to an organization which will
help-possibly
an organization recommended by the police!
It
is
all wrong.
It
is a police responsibility, and the Service should, and
indeed must, face it if we are to survive.
Slackening Grip
What of
our
courts? More and more duties which used to be
performed by the police with dignity and efficiency are now being
taken over by others. Why? Because the police themselves say it
is not their responsibility. The result: we are getting further and
further away from the mainspring from which our system of civilization
and justice
flows.
September-October 316
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