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Wanted: A National Operational Arm

NCJ Number
121674
Journal
Police Volume: 21 Issue: 10 Dated: (June-July 1989) Pages: 20,22
Author(s)
P Imbert
Date Published
1989
Length
2 pages
Annotation
A comprehensive British police strategy to coordinate law enforcement activities in countering national, international, and organized crime remains to be devised.
Abstract
Although the Specialist Operations Department at Scotland Yard has traditionally been the conduit for most direct interactions with police departments overseas, it lacks a national mandate. As a result, there is not a nationally coordinated approach, overall strategy or priorities, and no one person directing these police resources. Despite the formation of a National Drugs Intelligence Unit (NDIU), there is little recognition of the connection between drugs and other crimes and no central office to process non-drug crime intelligence from abroad. Despite legislation designed to increase international law enforcement cooperation, it does not allow the U.K. to participate fully in mutual assistance programs. Although Interpol plays an important role in promoting international police coordination, it is more effective as an information clearinghouse than as an international operational agency. The current policing model is locally-based; the merging of forces into regions or a national force could dilute the feeling of ownership which many communities have in their police forces. However, the formation of a national operational arm, encompassing operations, intelligence, support, and mutual assistance would allow the police service to retain the community-level system while developing a more accountable and effective response to broader crime problems. Accountability for this national body would be through the Home Secretary to Parliament. Only when an advanced level of compatability is achieved can a multinational operational agency be established with U.K. participation.