A National Police Service: Any Day Now?
| Author | Daniel Donnelly,Roy Wilkie,Kenneth B. Scott |
| Published date | 01 November 2002 |
| Date | 01 November 2002 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/0032258X0207500402 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
Dr DANIEL DONNELLY
Research Fellow in Police Studies
Dr KENNETH B. SCOTT
Head
of
Social Studies, Bell College, Hamilton
ROY
WILKIE
Emeritus Professor, Strathclyde University
ANATIONAL POLICE SERVICE:
ANY DAY NOW?
Policing in the UK is moving towards more central control
than ever before in its history, at the expense of a strong
tripartite system, which seems to exist in name only. The
evolving national network in England and Wales has a statut-
ory foundation, while Scotland has adopted a mainly non-
statutory approach to central control, although this should
change with new legislation in 2003.
The potential for further centralisation in Scotland remains
high because of the nation's size and new devolved constitu-
tional position. The key question for all concerned in the UK,
and particularly in Scotland, is what system of policing do we
wish to have: a national service; a regional system; or the
status quo? The answer can be found only after open public
debate takes place.
Introduction
As most police officers will know, the spectre of a national
police service every now and again rears its head. Thought was
given to it in 1829 when the 'police' as we know it, was first
created by Peel. It was rejected then, as it was 133 years later by
the Majority Report of the Royal Commission on the Police
(1960-62). The Commission came down on the side of partner-
ship between central and local government with the responsibil-
ity for the administration of the police service, alongside a
shared accountability with chief constables. This model became
known as the 'tripartite system'.
The Commission was not averse to a national police service.
Indeed, members considered that 'a strong case for bringing the
police of this country under complete central control is undeni-
able'. Members also thought that centralisation of the police
would not lead to a police state, which was always the worry:
'we discount any suggestion that a unified police service would
The Police Journal, Volume 75 (2002) 287
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