Commentary
| Date | 01 October 1967 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X6704001001 |
| Published date | 01 October 1967 |
| Subject Matter | Commentary |
H.M. CHIEF INSPECTOR'S REPORT
Colonel Sir Eric St Johnston's first report to the Home Secretary
relates to the year before his own appointment, a year darkened
by the tragically early death of his predecessor, Sir Edward Dodd,
to whose distinguished contribution to the Police Service he pays
due tribute.
The year 1966 was a year of great departures in policing.
It
saw
the beginning, in pursuance of the Government's amalgamations
policy, of the massive re-grouping of forces which is still under
way; the key studies of urgent police problems by three strong
working parties; and the completion of the basic unit beat experi-
ments.
There
were also the first fruits of the campaign to recruit
graduates; the schools liaison officers in each district, and the
establishment of a provincial equivalent to London's Binney
Medals.
Further increases in the volume of crime and traffic, however,
found the Service 15,000 short of its authorized establishment, a
grave deficiency which only good management can counteract.
"Modernization of the police structure, better equipment and
better buildings are all necessary in order that we may equip our-
selves to give a better service to the British public.
If
the many
hardworking, enthusiastic men and women of the police service
are given the tools we require we hope that we shall be able to win
the fight against criminals and the toll of the road.
If
we are not
given the organization and the equipment, we certainly cannot."
These words have the trenchancy which is to be expected of Sir
Eric St. Johnston, whose report for 1967 will certainly reflect the
gathering momentum of the implementation of the new policies
which are transforming the Service scene. No one who reads his
report for 1966 can fail to realize that our leadership means busi-
ness and has the skill and drive to achieve its aims.
Public and Police
A
"turn
for the
better"
was to be observed in the number of
complaints made by the public about the conduct of individual
policemen. There were 5,771, a drop of 14 per cent. compared
with 1965, and many of them were withdrawn after full investiga-
tion, made in all serious cases by senior officers from other forces
or unconnected divisions. Of these 699 were substantiated, leading
October 1967 439
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