Should the local police chief be accountable and elected? Options

[GMR]

Should the police be made accountable at local level? I was reading an article on the Police Reform website which states that:

The police should be locally accountable to the public, through the direct election of police commissioners to replace police authorities and through a “right to policing” for local communities. Elected commissioners would work with local partners to deliver, joined-up justice. At the national level standards should be ensured by a strong independent inspectorate and a streamlined set of national indicators to measure what matters.

Surveys show that the public want the police to be more accountable locally, but the Government’s measures, such as the “community call to action”, are gimmicks. A recent survey has found that 94 per cent of people could not name the chairman of their police authority.

Read more:

http://www.policereform.com/issues/accountable-policing.aspx

Would it be a good idea if we could vote for the head of the local police force?

I believe that when/ if the Tory's get into power they plan to do just this.

[Andy]

Would it be a good idea if we could vote for the head of the local police force?

Do you think it would really made any difference a grass roots level and crime figures/clear up rates etc. Would be nice if it did, but deep down I suspect not

[dannyboy]

more voting? Yawn.

So we can get a US style sheriff, 'voted in' by the towns folk?!?

[TallDarkAndHands...]

more voting? Yawn.

So we can get a US style sheriff, 'voted in' by the towns folk?!?

Dannyboy - If we could get a 'posse' together and do a bit of lynching with some of the scum of Newbury then I'm well up for it.

[GMR]

Dannyboy - If we could get a 'posse' together and do a bit of lynching with some of the scum of Newbury then I'm well up for it.

I don't think you would be alone

[dannyboy]

Dannyboy - If we could get a 'posse' together and do a bit of lynching with some of the scum of Newbury then I'm well up for it.

What makes you think you'll be a lyncher & not a lynchee?

[TallDarkAndHands...]

What makes you think you'll be a lyncher & not a lynchee?

Because I Work, pay my taxes and have no criminal record?

[dannyboy]

Because I Work, pay my taxes and have no criminal record?

but one day you fall out with the sheriff over a trival matter & he sends the boys round...........

btw, I didn't think lynch mobs paid much heed to any of the criteria you make.

[TallDarkAndHands...]

but one day you fall out with the sheriff over a trival matter & he sends the boys round...........

btw, I didn't think lynch mobs paid much heed to any of the criteria you make.

But I would be the Sheriff and I can't fall out with myself.

[GMR]

But I would be the Sheriff and I can't fall out with myself.

Actually you could fall out with yourself if you have a split personality

[Iommi]

Anyone know what the snags are for a locally elected sheriff? This ideas has been banded about for a while, but there doesn't seem to be much support of it, even though on the face of it, it seems like a good idea.

[GMR]

Anyone know what the snags are for a locally elected sheriff? This ideas has been banded about for a while, but there doesn't seem to be much support of it, even though on the face of it, it seems like a good idea.

I can see the positive side and the down side on this one. However, whatever we think it will be out of our hands. According to the Tory's this is what they want to achieve.

[dannyboy]

Anyone know what the snags are for a locally elected sheriff? This ideas has been banded about for a while, but there doesn't seem to be much support of it, even though on the face of it, it seems like a good idea.

American movies are full of reasons you don't want a locally 'elected' sheriff.

[HJD]

American movies are full of reasons you don't want a locally 'elected' sheriff.

Strewth, are those movies for real then !!

[dannyboy]

Strewth, are those movies for real then !!

no, but most stereotypes are based on a popular conception, which is based upon fact.

[GMR]

Strewth, are those movies for real then !!

Of course.... haven't you ever seen the Planet of the Apes?

[Iommi]

Anyone know what the snags are for a locally elected sheriff? This ideas has been banded about for a while, but there doesn't seem to be much support of it, even though on the face of it, it seems like a good idea.

Like I said, anyone know why an elected sheriff might not be a good idea?

[On the edge]

Like I said, anyone know why an elected sheriff might not be a good idea?

Would be a great idea! Say what you like about London - the Mayor does have to try and do what the majority want. I think Boris J was quite right to engineer the departure of previous head of the Met - he really wasn't up to it. The idea hasn't caught on elsewhere because the 'great and the good' don't want to loose their (broadly imaginary) powers

[Strafin]

Like I said, anyone know why an elected sheriff might not be a good idea?

It would worry me how things would be measured. Politicians are always tweaking things and changing figures and stats to reflect what they want so that the electorate's perception of them is positive. It may also lead to decisions being swayed by public opinion, which on the face of it sounds good, but isn't always thought through properly.

[Iommi]

My first thought is that it would depoliticise the Police. Although, I would imagine this would just be replaced with another possible abuse of position.