Commentary
| Published date | 01 April 1997 |
| Date | 01 April 1997 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X9707000201 |
| Subject Matter | Commentary |
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Bobbies on the Beat
A return of the bobby on the beat appears to be the popular theme at present
with everyone that is except those with criminal propensities - and whilst
to describe the call as an incessant clamour would be indulgent hyperbole,
it must be accepted that the regular and frequent appearance of a friendly
police officer in a helmet on foot patrol would give immense satisfaction
and a new senseof security to many people.This commentary is dedicated,
therefore, to two main questions: would the enhanced use of foot patrols
be the most effective use of the limited manpower resource, and if such
were the case, would it be possible to achieve in view of the many other
calls on police time? Primarily, it could be argued that if the general public
were satisfied with a return to traditional policing they would quickly gain
confidence in the police service as a whole, from which happy state other
benefits would flow, including increased cooperation and a greater
acceptance of the extent of the problems which the police face.
For a number of reasons, in recent years the police have been unable
to satisfy public expectations. In many cases the expectations have been
unrealistic, bearing in mind the substantial discrepancy between the number
of officers available and the numberof calls made upon them (for example,
since 1981 the police have absorbed a 150
per
cent increase in the number
of calls for service, while the number of officers has risen by only eight
per
cent), but it must also be said that the undue reliance placed on patrol
by motor vehicle, instead of on foot, has inevitably caused an estrangement
between police and public, thus weakening the bond that used to exist. In
this regard it would be unfair to criticize the police too harshly, for whilst
members of the public want to see the friendly bobby in his helmet they
also expect to receive a quick response to any call made andare indignantly
critical of any undue delay. This dichotomy has occupied the minds of
police managers for many a year.
On the general subject of patrolling, both on foot and in vehicle, it is
obvious that a great deal of work has been done in an effort to make it more
effective and thus more satisfying to all concerned, police and public alike.
Contributions from the Home Office, the Audit Commission, HM
Inspectorate of Constabulary and all ranks of the service itself have viewed
this vital subject in the light of public criticism and police performance and
April 1997 The Police Journal 95
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