On Beat
| Published date | 01 February 1970 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X7004300208 |
| Date | 01 February 1970 |
| Subject Matter | On Beat |
to keep divisional personnel in all departments abreast
of
proposals
and developments. Inaddition to the written minutes of the divisional
administrative officers' conference, where the current situation is
regularly discussed, these officers regularly attend the quarterly sub-
divisional instruction classes so as to keep all ranks up to date with
what is happening.
There are still areas of opposition to overcome, and some of the
sceptical to be convinced. In the ways outlined, both are lessening
and in due time should disappear except for the
odd
mumbling.
When our scheme is fully implemented, it is hoped no-one will
remember we ever had other than a civilian administration.
We have made some progress towards the objective set several
years ago.
It
was not then quite realized
just
how many and varied
problems would need to be solved before we developed an admini-
strative machine with which we would be satisfied. Probably that
time will never come, for we would hope that the structure we create
will constantly seek ways to improve itself.
Many
of
the
pro
blem areas have been indicated and of these some
will have seemed obvious. They did
not
seem so until encountered,
and although we are reasonably content with our broad outlines .
for implementation, doubtless we will encounter many more.
What we are seeking to achieve in Kent is a civilian career structure
solidly based upon employees possessed of those qualities we so
often take for granted in regular police officers, and guided by senior
staff who are prepared to turn their recognized skills to
our
best
possible advantage.
If
we succeed it will largely be due to their efforts now and in the
future. The writer is one who believes
that
in the hands of the
right people our administrative future is secure.
ON
BEAT
This column has referred, on
several
occasions in the recent past, to
reluctance of industry and
commerce
to protect
themselves
againstcrime.
We were therefore interested,
wryly
amused, but certainlynot surprised
to learn from an address
given
to the Royal
Society
of Arts by Mr. Peter
Hamilton of Chubbs, that "The main result of the Home Secretary's
appeal to 50 leaders of industry in May,
1968,
was that
several
of them
instructed market research experts to investigate security as a sphere of
diversification" !
Mr. Hamilton, incidentally,
believes
that the
effectiveness
of the police
could beenhanced ifthey wereto occupya position in
society
comparable
to that of
lawyers
and
officers
of the armed
service.
"I shouldlike to see,
for
example,
somepolice
peerages,
someuniversity chairsconcernedwith
the art of policing",he added.
FrornMy19ro 91
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