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From Myth to Reality: The British Model (From Comparative Policy Systems and Cooperation, 1993, P 25-60)

NCJ Number
145000
Author(s)
R Reiner
Date Published
1993
Length
36 pages
Annotation
Although traditionally the British police officer is represented by the figure of the "bobby," uniformed citizen respected by the population, today's realities have made of the police in Britain a more centralized, bureaucratic, and specialized force.
Abstract
The classic view of the police in Britain is that of a force that is limited in number and in power but enjoys a high level of responsibility and public regard. The traditional view also sees the public as satisfied with the police's dual functions of assisting the public and enforcing the law. The friendly constable on his rounds keeping close to the community is the epitome of the police under this classic view. However, the reality is that in today's society, marked by increasing crime, social inequality, unemployment, and social divisions, this form of policing represents more myth than reality. The number of police officers has risen, and local autonomy has given way to increasing bureaucratization, specialization, and centralization of authority. Although women and minorities have made strides in recent years, the police force still does not mirror the diversity in the population. Increasingly the public is demanding more effective control of crime and protection of the public. The author concludes that in the face of new realities, even though the community policing model will exist to some extent on the local level, police specialization will expand in order to deal effectively with violent crime, terrorism, major white- collar crime, and other national and international problems. Moreover, police officers will come from more diverse backgrounds, will use impersonal technological tools to effect control over crime, and will be supplemented by private security police and volunteer forces. Footnotes and references

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