Book Review: The Beat Officer's Companion
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9606900229 |
| Published date | 01 April 1996 |
| Date | 01 April 1996 |
| Subject Matter | Book Review |
Page 84makes interesting reading, "whatto do if police are obstructi ve":
it seems that research has shown that police officers will frequently use
ploys to attempt to keep lawyers away, or at least to minimize their effect.
Your reviewer would not consider the word generally as being fair: the
presence of solicitors at police stations is commonplace, and has been
since 1986. Very few custody officers resent their presence, in fact they
are part of the woodwork at many big city stations. For resented persons,
they get through a lot of tea ...
THE
BEAT
OFFICER'S
COMPANION,5thedn,by
Gordon
Wilson.
Police Review Publishing Co.
Ltd.
Paperback
£16.35.
This small book is intended as a quick reference book for officers on street
duty. These pocket-sized books should be welcomed by all street officers
since there is no doubt that it is an impossible task to carryall matters in
the head. Your reviewer can remember that he always carried the small
summons heading book produced by Police Review and various other
aids; it was usually a matter
of
pocket space that limited the size of the
tome. Since there exist similar "Companions" to traffic and custody
officers, the reviewer is certain that were he "back on the beat" he would
find space for such practical items.
The new edition covers the Criminal Justice and Public Order Acts
which have now become law. Some new crimes are introduced.
Page 75 is interesting for what it does not portray ... having seized
firearms under s.48(2) it is necessary to deposit them at the police station
yet the graphics do not show the look on the inspector's face when
presented with such an item! But seriously, take this book wherever you
go - you will need it.
POLICE
TRAINING
MANUAL,
8th
edn,
by
Jack
and
Brian
English.
McGraw-Hili Book Co.
Paperback
£22.95.
This new edition is extensively revised and updated and it includes details
of important new legislation such as the Police and Magistrates' Courts
Act 1994 and The Criminal Justiceand Public OrderAct 1994. The revised
Codes of Practice are also included.
It is true to say that this manual is still an ideal source of reference for
both the serving probationer and serving officer. The book is divided into
modules and follows the revised form of probationer training commenced
in 1989.
The 8th edition is, as is often the case with law books, somewhat larger
than the previous editions. However, there is no doubt it will remain "the
recognized manual for probationers" throughout the service, in addition to
which it is a valuable reference book for any police officer. As such, the
authors do state that the law content has been increased in the hope that it
will be of value beyond probationer training.
188 The Police Journal April 1996
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