Should the local police chief be accountable and elected? Options

[HJD]

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

[dannyboy]

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.

depoliticise something by making it the subject of an election.......

[Iommi]

depoliticise something by making it the subject of an election.......

??????????

[dannyboy]

??????????

exactly.

and I notice in the Advertiser that was delivered this morning, the NWN has likened the advent of the CEO's in Newbury to there being " A new sheriff in town". Now, do you think they are implying a good, or bad thing here?

[Iommi]

exactly. and I notice in the Advertiser that was delivered this morning, the NWN has likened the advent of the CEO's in Newbury to there being " A new sheriff in town". Now, do you think they are implying a good, or bad thing here?

It would be handy if you would just spit it out, 'cause I think you are talking in riddles. Traffic Wardens are sometimes called Little Hitlers, but no-one's suggesting they will, well, you know!

[Roost]

It would be handy if you would just spit it out, 'cause I think you are talking in riddles. Traffic Wardens are sometimes called Little Hitlers, but no-one's suggesting they will, well, you know!

The way I'm reading his comment is that you can't depoliticise an institution by making it subject of an election, something that is the bedrock of many political systems.

I kinda agree with him. It wouldn't depoliticise it but would make it subject to local politics as opposed to national.

[dannyboy]

The way I'm reading his comment is that you can't depoliticise an institution by making it subject of an election, something that is the bedrock of many political systems.

I kinda agree with him. It wouldn't depoliticise it but would make it subject to local politics as opposed to national.

sound of nail being hit on head!

[Iommi]

The way I'm reading his comment is that you can't depoliticise an institution by making it subject of an election, something that is the bedrock of many political systems. I kinda agree with him. It wouldn't depoliticise it but would make it subject to local politics as opposed to national.

sound of nail being hit on head!

Er, OK, but we are talking about the appointment process. Politics always exists to some degree, but aren't commissioners selected, rather than elected? My depoliticising point is regards the selection process. Presumably it means that they are (more) answerable to the electorate rather than the party and governors from above(?).

[Strafin]

Er, OK, but we are talking about the appointment process. Politics always exists to some degree, but aren't commissioners selected, rather than elected? My depoliticising point is regards the selection process. Presumably it means that they are (more) answerable to the electorate rather than the party and governors from above(?).

I think I have to step in here and agree with Dannyboy, what the heck are you on about Iommi? I think you're talking in riddles.....

[Iommi]

I think I have to step in here and agree with Dannyboy, what the heck are you on about Iommi? I think you're talking in riddles.....

My last post seems clear enough to me, if not then you must have mistaken me for someone who gives a sheet.

My original question still stands (unanswered - a part from dannyboy's random opinions); WHAT THE *#@!! IS THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTED POLICE HEADS? I'm not pro or anti, I just can't think what the down side is, but there must be one.

[Strafin]

My last post seems clear enough to me, if not then you must have mistaken me for someone who gives a sheet.

My original question still stands (unanswered - a part from dannyboy's random opinions); WHAT THE *#@!! IS THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTED POLICE HEADS? I'm not pro or anti, I just can't think what the down side is, but there must be one.

I have given my opinion on this too.

[dannyboy]

My last post seems clear enough to me, if not then you must have mistaken me for someone who gives a sheet.

My original question still stands (unanswered - a part from dannyboy's random opinions); WHAT THE *#@!! IS THE PROBLEM WITH ELECTED POLICE HEADS? I'm not pro or anti, I just can't think what the down side is, but there must be one.

IMHO the problem lies in the fact, that like many 'elected' officials all you get is self centred, nest lining, sycophantic, nepotistic, lazy, corrupt, and slimy individuals standing for election.

hence my making comment about the American system - where the local Police ( the Sheriff ) is elected. It can't be co-incidence that so many American movies paint a less than rosy picture of this arangement.

'Hey there Dewayne, you gonna get yow Pa to arrest this son'***** for me?'

[Iommi]

hence my making comment about the American system - where the local Police ( the Sheriff ) is elected. It can't be co-incidence that so many American movies paint a less than rosy picture of this arrangement. 'Hey there Dewayne, you gonna get yow Pa to arrest this son'***** for me?'

And most often, those Sheriffs (which seem to bear little in relation to what is proposed in the article) are standing up for the town against outsiders, 'not accustomed to their ways'.

Yours and Strafin's views are clearly partisan, so it is difficult to glean much from them (but thanks anyway), but I'd like to draw the attention to the last paragraph in the article.

"Central targets for the police are manipulated and assessment of the police is bureaucratic and complicated.

Targets should be set locally, not nationally, and police performance assessed on three simple factors:

1. Crime reduction – measured by overall crime and supported by a weighted detection rate, though this will be given less importance than crime levels. Crime reduction will be the prime measure.
2. How safe the general public feels – measured by robust and independently conducted attitudinal surveys.
3. How satisfied victims and witnesses are when they come into contact with the police – also measured by attitudinal surveys.

The Home Office has manipulated crime figures and forfeited public trust. Performance assessments, crime figures and the British Crime Survey should be conducted completely independently of the Home Office.

Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary is too close to the Government and police forces. There needs to be a more independent and rigorous inspectorate that will serve as a champion of the people rather than the police. It should report to Parliament rather than the Home Office and inspectors should be appointed by Parliament, not the Home Secretary. It should become in part an economic regulator, ensuring value for money as well as monitoring standards."

[dannyboy]

I'm not sure why you think the laudable recomendations in that last paragraph are ony achievable with a locally elected Police Force.

[Iommi]

I'm not sure why you think the laudable recomendations in that last paragraph are ony achievable with a locally elected Police Force.

Where did I say, or imply that?

What I am implying is that the proposal doesn't necessarily mean we will employ a load of hick Sheriffs.

[blackdog]

I suspect that the introduction of locally elected police commissioner (or whatever they might be called) would be no more than another pretence of local democracy. Whoever was elected would find themselves nominally in charge of a professional police force that (as now) operates under reams of paperwork imposed from central government. Targets will be set centrally, finance will be controlled centrally, the laws, punishments, etc, etc, will be set centrally.

What would a locally elected comissioner have the power to do - sod all.

[Roost]

I don't think it would have a lot of impact on tha bods on the ground floor though. They'd still be running round after what the (now local) boss was telling them to do. Bet they'd also still be lambasted every day.....!