Public insurrection 2011

UK newspapers and social media sites are warning that the austerity measures are likely to lead to high levels of unrest.  Strikes, demonstrations and possible disorder appear to be on the cards. 

 Is this something new?  Not at all.  On establishing the New Police in 1829 Peel and his Commissioners faced years of civil unrest that ultimately spread throughout the country as the 'long arm of the law' was extended from town to town.  The main reasons for this were due to a lack of public support for the increase in rates to pay for the police and a fear that the new police would restrict people's liberty.  Instead of being able to carry out Peel's wishes of preventing crime the police were often trying to quell disturbances.

Until the 19th Century riotous protest was accepted and mutually understood means by which politically unrepresented masses communicated grievances to the ruling elite - 'bargaining by riot.  But with the spread of industrial capitalism riot came to be regarded not as a form of proto democracy but as a fundemantal threat to the social and political order (Hobsbawn, 1959: 116)

 

Fast forward a few decades to 1952.  American police reformer OW Wilson in his book Police Planning states that 'Community attitudes are expressed in various ways.  Lack of compliance with laws, lack of public resentment against non compliance and frequent failures of juries to convict are reflections of unwholesome public sentiment.  The policies of elected representatives of the people as expressed in legislation, budget appropriations, and administrative orders are other expressions of community feelings.'

Here’s hoping that juries continue to convict criminals and that the public resentment  does not, as in the 1800s, become focussed on the police who themselves are being subjected to cuts and job losses.  Will common sense prevail in 2011?

Public Service Outsourcing

The Con.Lib Dem Govt are constantly seeking ways to save money, or maybe that should be to cut money.  They, and the Police Minister, have rightly commented that public services, which includes the police, should look to outsource non essential services.

 This idea is fine providing the police have the facilities to be able to carry this out.  Sadly, the Govt. may not be aware of the ridiculous procurement policies that public services have to follow.  This often results in excessive payments for goods and services.  As an example, as a former serving police officer I wanted to buy a small electrical item.  I priced it at a local store and arranged to purchase it and submit a claim for reimbursement.  Oh no, that cannot be done.  I have to go through Purchasing & Supplies who paid almost double the price that I was going to pay.  How does that save money?

 

So, when an acquaintance offered an outsourcing proposal that would save money, the force concerned checked their records only to find that they already paid for a provider of this service.  Except, the provider was not able to provide this service.  They had it listed as something that they provided, but the fact is they did not have people trained to the required standard.  Ergo the police are paying for a service that cannot be supplied.

 

So if the government is serious about outsourcing to save money, then they need to loosen the shackles placed on forces and breathe some common sense into those who have control of the purse strings

Hello

Welcome to my blog that will look at events related to policing, customer service, citizen focus, police leadership and many related topics.

I am retired police superintendent and am currently working as a consultant with a number of UK companies.  I am also a seminar tutor for two criminology bachelor classes at Lancaster University.  In my spare time (sic)  I am in the final year of my doctorate at London Metropolitan University.  My thesis relates to the role of police leadership and police reform. However, I have a great interest in the development of policing in the 1800s and the reform of policing in USA by OW Wilson.

I hope that you enjoy reading my musings, please feel free to let me know your thoughts.