Constable: Police Officers Essay

Submitted By jazzymc
Words: 6711
Pages: 27
Open Document
The Office of Constable
The bedrock of modern day British policing

Foreword by Jan Berry,
Chairman of the
Police Federation of England and
Wales
The Office of Constable has evolved over the centuries and the ‘British Bobby’ is recognised across the world, but what is it that makes it so special, so endearing, so different?
There is, as this pamphlet seeks to set out, a legal status, being the holders of an Office, the coercive powers that come with that
Office. There are also the high standards and restrictions placed on our professional and private lives.
But what is at its heart, and why does it remain a recognised and trusted brand leader around the world? Why does it conjure up feelings of safety and security, and why do the public want to see more
‘bobbies’? Why do those of us who hold this proud Office of Constable go forward into dangers when others go back?

Main cover picture: istockphoto.com

The answer is simple; it’s about integrity, impartiality, and most importantly, political independence. It is the tie breaker, the ultimate check and balance in our democracy to protect against a tyrannical abuse of power.
The imposition of targets and the employment of non-sworn staff in operational policing roles are slowly eroding the Office of Constable. It is a proud and honourable Office and one which I have had the honour to hold for
35 years.

“Where is this Office
The above quotation is not made up. It was actually said by a Member of
Parliament upon hearing the term the
Office of Constable.
The Police Federation is always quick to raise the merits of the Office of Constable.
But in view of the above quote, what does it mean to those outside the police service?
Where does the Office of Constable originate from, and is it as important today as it was two centuries ago?
This pamphlet takes a look at the Office of
Constable – what it is, what its values are, what it means for the police service today, and gives a summary history which shows how the Office of Constable is not only the bedrock of traditional policing but also the platform for any change required for modern day policing.
The independent Office of Constable operates within, and is accountable to, the rule of law. The rule of law is the principle that no one is above the law. Perhaps the most important application of the rule of law is the principle that government authority is legitimately exercised only in accordance with written, publicly disclosed laws adopted and enforced in accordance with established procedural steps. The principle of the rule of law is intended to be a safeguard against arbitrary governance.
The law must be accessible, intelligible, clear and predictable and must apply equally to all. It must also afford adequate protection of fundamental human rights. It is the independent and impartial holder of the Office of Constable who is tasked with upholding and enforcing the law.
Whilst the rule of law binds our society together, of equal importance is the

of Constable – is it in the Home Office?” separation of power, which prevents over-concentration of power in any one institution. At one level this reflects the legislature, the executive, the judiciary.
In the case of policing, politicians
– democratically elected – make the laws, police officers enforce them, and the judiciary decides on the outcome post-charge. However, we are each independent and separately accountable.
Operational independence is a guiding principle of policing.

“I hold it to be the duty of the Commissioner of Police, as it is of every chief constable, to enforce the law of the land. He must take steps so to post his men that crimes may be detected; and that honest citizens may go about their affairs in peace.
“He must decide whether or not suspected persons are to be prosecuted; and, if need be, bring the prosecution or see that it is brought; but in all
Show More

Related Documents: Constable: Police Officers Essay

Rodney King Sociology

Introduction March 3, 1991 was a day that transformed history incessantly after Los Angeles police was on a high-speed chase in pursuit to capture an African American male taxi driver who is best known as Rodney Glen King III. After being pulled out of his vehicle, King was brutally beaten by L.A.P.D which was all captured through video by a standbyer. This event was not just an average traffic stop, but this affair was the beginning of the exposure of an issue that has occurred for a lengthy period…

Words 1768 - Pages 8

What Is The Importance Of Report Writing

Constable Cook spoke on report writing the significance of report writing pertaining to police work, investigations, and building cases to land a verdict in court. Constable Cook opens his lecture by laying the foundation of the importance of report writing by comparing it to a first impression. He emphasized the importance of a first impression. Constable Cook spoke on how your first impressions offer people insight and opinions pertaining to you. Constable Cook advised how your report is the…

Words 774 - Pages 4

Impersonating Officer Essay

Impersonating a Police Officer in Qing China This draft centers on the common impersonations of Yamen runners and constables. There have been numerous records that indicate impersonators and exploring their schemes. The first chapter explores the “role of the Qing policeman” and the groups and ranks of each person. All the members of the police were responsible of reporting criminal activities to the heads as well to the government. The failure to do so would result in punishment. The rest…

Words 549 - Pages 3

The Case Of Knight V State Of New South Wales

identify the cause of action or offences being prosecuted) and before what kind of court? Which Evidence Act applied? (See first pages and par [1]). Knight is a civil case in which the plaintiff is claiming damages for an injury that resulted from police negligence. The Evidence Act 1995 (NSW) was the applicable legislation and the matter was held in the New South Wales Supreme Court Question 2. Who were the parties to the case? (See first pages and par [1]). Plaintiff – Austin Owen Knight…

Words 1137 - Pages 5

United States Law Enforcement System

UNITED STATES LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEM 2 Boston was the location of the first know system of law enforcement, which was established more than 350 years ago. At first, colonists appointed constables. Later, a “watch” was formed which was made up of six watchmen, one constable, and volunteers. The watch was responsible for patrolling at night and making rounds, enforcing the law. A sheriff, appointed by the governor, was used in more rural areas of the Colonies. This was often a paid…

Words 1048 - Pages 5

police corruption Essay

will portray some of the reasons that some police officers become corrupt. The different types of corruption will also be discussed and identified. The reader will have a further understanding of power and what it means to be able to handle power and responsibility (such as that of a Police Constable) in acceptance to Police Standards and code of conduct as it is laid out in accordance to Canadian legislature and regulations. I believe some Police Officers become corrupt, because of the power they…

Words 1175 - Pages 5

Essay about Hanso case study

Black, CMA DATE: January 31, 2014 SUBJECT: Response to which Police Force is best to implement for the town of Hanso in terms of Expenditures and Management Control System. As a response to your request on analyzing which Police Force program to implement; the CRP Police Force or the existent Hanso Police Force, here is my report on a list of issues that I feel should be addressed, along with my recommendations to which police program is less costly and best to implement to sustain a safe…

Words 1321 - Pages 6

Case Study: Billy Dargin's Tracker Force

Dargin’s pathway into the tracker force may have come about through relationships with other aboriginal’s tracker already performing work in the NSW police. Furthermore, the steady pay which Aboriginal trackers in the 1860's received was a daily rate of 2s 6d, not including possible reward payments for bushranger captures. At the time of Billy's entry into police employment, there were four other trackers stationed at Forbes. Those were Pilot, Jacky, Hastings and Charlie or Prince Charlie. However, Billy…

Words 191 - Pages 1

Vancouver Police Department Essay

History Vancouver Police Department was started as one man army in 1886, now after 128 years this organization is running on a big scale. It include 1700+ members and they are providing the services to van cover society to make it to make It the safest city in Canada. So basically it all started in 1886 when a night­watchman named John Stewart was offered to become the first police chief of the Vancouver Police Department. Vancouver Police Department raised speedily and became known for what they have achieved over the years…

Words 4614 - Pages 19

Ned Kelly: A True Hero

The meaning of a hero is a person that puts others before themselves. Ned Kelly is a perfect example of this because he killed corrupt police in self defense and stole money and valuable items from rich people and to sell or to give to the poor. These where acts of selflessness and not greed or heartless murder, he was only looking out for and protecting the less fortunate people of the time. The other side would have you disregard his human qualities and throw aside the cause of his actions. All…

Words 769 - Pages 4