The Impact of Local Policing Plans: A Study in West Yorkshire
| Author | Patricia K. Barton |
| Published date | 01 October 1996 |
| Date | 01 October 1996 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X9606900403 |
| Subject Matter | Article |
PATRICIA K. BARTON, LLB (Hans), MA
Faculty
of
Law, University
of
Leeds, UK
THE IMPACT OF LOCAL POLICING
PLANS: A STUDY IN WEST
YORKSHIRE
Introduction
The focus of this article is the advent of the local policing plan,
introduced by the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 (the PMCA).
The first anniversary of these plans has now passed, making it an
appropriate time to consider the effect they are likely to have upon
policing priorities, and upon the involvement of the public in policing
issues, both of these aspects having been expressed as key aims at an
early stage. The West Yorkshire Policing Plan (the WYPP) is used
throughout as an example of policing plans generally, since it is the
WYPP which forms the basis for the empirical research describedbelow.
The PMCA: The Relevant Provisions
The most significant sections of the PMCA as far as local policing plans
are concerned are ssA and 15.1The general duty imposed by
sA
of the
1964 Act whereby every police authority must "secure the maintenance
of an efficient and effective police force for its area" remains, but is
expanded by s.4 of the PMCA which adds the requirement to have regard
to objectives determined by the Secretary of State, as well as objectives
and performance targets which the authority itself determines, and any
local policing plan issued. The requirements to determine objectives and
performance targets and to issue a local policing plan are covered
separately.' and in particular the revised s.4(4) requires police authorities
to comply with directions issued by the Home Secretary under the
revised s.28.
Section 28 now includes authority for the Home Secretary to issue
national objectives, together with associated performance targets. In
addition, the new s.28D entitles the Home Secretary to require
independent inspection of any force by inspectors of constabulary, and
to take action against any force where that force is considered to be
inefficient or ineffective.
The Planning Process: What Happens in Practice?
It is the responsibility of each police authority to produce a local policing
plan annually in consultation with the chief constable. This plan "sets
out the policing priorities, objectives and targets for the ... area along
with the possible actions suggested by the chief constable to achieve
them.":'The plan is required to be produced before the beginning of each
financial year," but is the culmination of a fairly lengthy procedure,
commencing with the setting of national objectives by the Home
Secretary. This is followed by the setting of local objectives, which is
October 1996 The Police Journal 289
To continue reading
Request your trial