Commentary
| Published date | 01 September 1964 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6403700901 |
| Date | 01 September 1964 |
| Subject Matter | Commentary |
The Police Act, 1964: AMajor Achievement
With the passing of the new Police Act the general law for the
maintenance and development
of
the police in England, Wales and
Scotland is now to be found in a single statute of no more than 65
sections and
II
schedules. More than 20 Acts are repealed outright,
ranging from the Police Act, 1946, to the Constables' Expenses Act,
1801, and others are repealed or amended in part. This year's Act
gives a succinct and comprehensive statement of the fundamental
law relating to the organization of the Service and it is a measure
both of consolidation and change. Mr. Brooke and his advisers in
the police department of the Home Office are to be congratulated
upon a major achievement.
Regulations have now to be made (coming into operation on
"workable" dates, the last of which is June I, 1965) by the Home
Secretary and the Secretary of State for Scotland. This is a task in
which many people are concerned, for there continues to be pro-
vision for constituent bodies representing the police authorities and
the Service to be consulted and to make recommendations.
It
may
be noted that this consultative machinery was begun by the Police
Act, 1919,when our legislators, somewhat tardily, recognized that it
was only right for those who have to implement regulations to be
consulted when they are drafted.
By and large, the Royal Commission's recommendations are acted
upon in the statute or may be expected to be so in statutory instru-
ments now in the making. Among new definitions, to be noted by
examination candidates as well as by all who have to apply and
interpret them, is the term "central services" (ss.
41--45),
con-
ferring statutory status on those police officers who, with their
authorities' consent, are engaged in the work of police colleges,
district police training centres, forensic science laboratories and
"such other organizations and services" as the Secretary of State
considers necessary to promote the efficiency of the Service. This
new status should make even more attractive the opportunity such
secondments offer to experienced officersto develop their knowledge
and skill in central service.
September 1964
411
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