Police and rules of engagement

EVEN though the Government has failed to justify the cost of the new police commissioners, whether it be the actual elections, the salaries being paid to successful candidates or the practical implementation of locally-driven policies, the prospects of Ministers listening to common sense appear remote.

As opponents – and the upholders of law and order – identify new shortcomings with both the merit of the shake-up and the underlying principles, the Government’s stance has become more entrenched. This were demonstrated by Policing Minister Nick Herbert glibly dismissing the considered views of Sir Norman Bettison, the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire Police.

Yet, if the commissioner model is to have any chance of succeeding, and irrespective of the candidatures of high- profile and outspoken individuals like John Prescott in Humberside or Med Hughes, South Yorkshire’s recently retired chief constable, there needs to be clear rules of engagement in place and the Minister needs to explain, in full, the “operational safeguards” that he promised during a visit to this region.

This need is reinforced by Sir Norman’s concerns. With commissioners likely to be affiliated to a political party in order to be elected, they will have agendas of their own – priorities that might differ from those of a chief constable whose work is driven by intelligence rather than public opinion.

However, with commissioners being able to stand for an election on an unlimited number of occasions, unlike the two-term limit that applies to US presidents, there is the potential of some to use this to their advantage by simply dismissing those police chiefs who do not comply with their agenda, or certainly making life very uncomfortable for them.

Unless safeguards are put in place, there is an increased likelihood that nearly 200 years of policing independence will be jeopardised by a government policy that is being driven by dogma rather than pragmatism, and which cannot be financially justified in these austere times. Having come this far, Mr Herbert must address Sir Norman’s points before his policy flaws further compromise policing in this country.