Commentary
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X7805100201 |
| Published date | 01 April 1978 |
| Date | 01 April 1978 |
| Subject Matter | Commentary |
COUNTY HALL CAPERS
With the exception of one or two politicians, national not local,
and one or two frustrated civil servants, very few people would wish
to see the selection of chief officers removed to Whitehall.
Nevertheless, one cannot help wondering how long the present
strange rituals will be permitted to continue. Some of them defy
belief.
The fatuous game of musical chairs at dinner; the selection
committee which went home leaving the candidates with only a
caretaker to tell them there was no real point in their remaining in
the empty building; the chairman who demanded that each candi-
date face the wall so that he could examine the back of their necks
for some inexplicable reason; all these would be unbelievable were
it not for the integrity of the men who have suffered and who have
reported their experiences.
What is more alarming is the spread of the sinister preliminary
interview with the Chief Executive Officer who wants to know about
the candidates' willingness to join the Management Team and/or
take direction on operational matters from the Authority.
Some of these people must have heard of the Home Secretary's
exposition on this point at Bournemouth. Perhaps they think a
change of Minister albeit with no change of Government, means a
change of policy.
INTERNATIONAL
POLICE
INSTITUTE
One can only welcome the initiative of the International Associa-
tion of Chiefs of Police in sponsoring a meeting of the principal
international police organizations at the Dutch Police Study Centre
at Huis 't Velde, Warnsveld. Gathered together for three days were
representatives of IACP, FIFSP, IPA and Interpol.
Of
all the discussions that took place possibly the most imaginative
was the concept of an annual three month International Police
Institute. Peripatetic, this institute would give police officers of the
world a chance each year to examine in detail a facet of police
problems -anything from organization to responses against
terrorism.
Every police officer must wish the project well and hope that the
finance and support will be available.
One thing is certain.
It
should remain as it is a police project
and
not be allowed to fall into the hands of the politicians of the United
Nations.
April 1978 122
To continue reading
Request your trial