The Police and the Public

In early 1990 a major feature article in one of Britain’s leading papers was entitled, “What’s gone wrong with the Police?” it referred to the frequency of scandals during the 1980s involving the police. These scandals concerned the excessive use of violence to maintain public order; violence in the questioning of suspects; the fabrication of evidence and the extortion of forced confessions; and corrupt practices, for example the falsification of records concerning the successful solution to crimes. It also commented on the severe loss of morale among the police, and the high number of police who resign from force on account of stress.

Twenty-five years ago, the British police force was a source of great pride. Unlike police in almost every other country, the British policeman enjoyed a trusted, respected and friendly relationship with the public. The “bobby on the beat” made it his business to learn his neighbourhood. In return, the public placed a high level of trust in his integrity. This is probably a rosy and idealistic view of the past. But it was a source of pride that almost alone in the police world, the British bobby was unarmed.

The British police are probably still among the best in the world, but clearly there are serious and growing problems. A survey commissioned by three authoritative police associations at the end of the 1980s reported that one of five people believe that the police use unnecessary force on arrest, falsify statements, plant evidence and use violence in police stations.

However, in an age of increasing popular violence and disrespect for law and order, the great challenge for the police is to recapture the respect of the public. In the long run, the way the public feel about the police is of fundamental importance to police ability to control crime and maintain public order.

As the challenges of modern society become more complex, the response of the police has been to seek more manpower and more money. This has neither prevented an increase in crime nor in public disorder. More brainpower rather than manpower would probably improve police efficiency. Police officers have traditionally worked themselves up the career ladder from the lowest rank of constable. It is possible that a new cadre of commissioned officers will be formed to attract more highly educated entrants into the force.

There is also a strong case for reducing the present fifty-two forces down to, say, ten, and for creating one central criminal investigation body, which can direct its resources more efficiently than the present serious crime squads in each force.

1. What has gone wrong with the police? Based upon the information given, list the basic concerns the average citizen might have.

2. In what way has the citizens’ attitude towards the police changed in Britain over the last twenty-five years? Are there any similar trends in Ukraine?

3. To what extent is the way the public feel about the police important for efficient work of the police?

4. What are the suggested ways out of the present situation? What could be said against the introduction of these measures?

5. What other measures for enhancing the efficiency of the police work would you suggest?

B. Discussion.

In Britain, the average salary of an eighteen-year-old trainee police officer is about 30 percent higher than for a newly qualified teacher. Should police officers be paid more than teachers?

The Penal System

Ex. 63 Work with a partner and discuss the following questions:

1. What purpose do prisons fulfil in the current society? What purpose should they fulfil? Comment on the points in the list below.

• Re-educating and rehabilitating criminals

• Acting as a deterrent to would-be criminals

• Punishment

• Isolating dangerous individuals from the rest of the society.

2. What kinds of problem do prisoners face, both while they are in jail and after they are released?

3. Why are people sometimes tempted to take the law into their own hands? Are there any circumstances in which this is justifiable?

Useful words and phrases

depression humiliation fear of violence from guards or other inmates drug abuse

contact with more experienced and hardened criminals ostracism a code of honour

it has a stigma attached to it risk of slipping back into your old ways justice has not been done

difficulties in finding housing and employment the law has failed them a blood feud

a vendetta take revenge on someone for something

Ex. 64 Read the following text, divide it into logical parts and think of suitable headings for each part.