Commentary
| Date | 01 October 1991 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9106400402 |
| Published date | 01 October 1991 |
| Subject Matter | Commentary |
TlJePOLICE
JOURNM
THOU.GHTS
FROM
DOWN
UNDER
In this issue, under the heading of "POLICE PROFESSIONALISM:
PROBLEMS AND ISSUES IN UPGRADING AN OCCUPATION",
DoctorMichael Small,
ofthe
University
of
Technology,Perth, presentsan
Antipodean view of the problems likely to face the Australian Police,
particularly its senior officers, over the coming years.
In his paper, he stresses the need for a professional approach on the
part of all senior officers and deals with the subject matter by dissecting
the many problems and suggesting what requires to be done to overcome
them.
The National problems, he says, are mainly economic, political and
social in nature plus,
of
course, those which influence the work of the
police - much as in most other countries. The doctor is firmly
of
the view
that they call for efficient police forces, effectively led by officers who
have been suitably trained for the task. In his eyes, managementeducation
is vital if this is to be achieved and he addresses some of the issues
involved.
He draws attention to a new approach to training, describing it as the
major focus in the 1990s. Managementand executive programmes should
be devised for seniorofficers, with the new approach reflected inconcepts
such as vision, creativity, imagination and inspiration.
The question of upgrading the Police Service to professional status
is dealt with obliquely, with the author concentrating on the qualities
required of a professional police officer in the '90s. Nevertheless, the
scenario presented gives food for thought to all who share the same
objective.
BRITISH
JUSTICE
Many a staunch supporter of British Justice must have hiccuped at some
of the results reached in recent months, so much so that a brief excursion
across thejudicial domain will do no harm. It is not intended to be offered
as a criticism.
The returning of not guilty verdicts on two men charged with helping
George Blake, the Soviet spy, to escape from prison and consequently
travel to the USSR in 1966 raised feelings of incredulity in some quarters
and near apoplexy in others. Both men had not denied the facts alleged by
the prosecution, and their defence
of
'justification on moral and
October 1991 285
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