Law Enforcement in the UK PDF

Back to Summary CMLEG 3 DOCUMENTATION PART 1 Law Enforcement in the United Kingdom August 2023 - CNFLIG  Back to Summary...

Back to Summary CMLEG 3 DOCUMENTATION PART 1 Law Enforcement in the United Kingdom August 2023 - CNFLIG  Back to Summary Summary 1. Policing in the UK......................................................................................6 1.1 Policing Principles.......................................................................................................6 1.1.1 The Principle of policing by consent.............................................................................................6 1.1.2 Police Code of Ethics....................................................................................................................6 1.2 Police Duties and Powers............................................................................................6 1.2.1 Duties...........................................................................................................................................7 1.2.2 Police Powers...............................................................................................................................8 2. Law Enforcement staff in the UK..............................................................9 2.1 Police officers.............................................................................................................. 9 2.1.1 Police constables.........................................................................................................................10 2.1.2 Plain-clothes officers..................................................................................................................10 2.1.3 Police civilian staff.....................................................................................................................10 2.1.4 Police Support Volunteers...........................................................................................................11 2.1.5 Special Constables......................................................................................................................11 2.1.6 Police Community Support Officers...........................................................................................12 2.1.7 UK Police Rank Structure (from lowest to highest rank)............................................................12 3. Police Forces in the UK...........................................................................13 3.1 National Structures....................................................................................................13 3.1.1 Territorial Police Services (TPS)................................................................................................13 3.1.2 Regional Organised Crime Units................................................................................................14 3.1.3 National law enforcement agencies............................................................................................15 3.1.4 Miscellaneous police services.....................................................................................................15 4. Other Special Police Forces, Agencies or Services.............................15 4.1.1 The National Crime Agency (NCA)............................................................................................15 4.1.2 The British Transport Police.......................................................................................................16 4.1.3 Ministry of Defence Police (MDP).............................................................................................16 4.1.4 The National Police Chiefs’ Council...........................................................................................17 4.1.5 The College of Policing..............................................................................................................18 4.1.6 The Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS).....................................18 4.1.7 Independent Office for Police Conduct.......................................................................................18 4.1.8 The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl)............................................................19 2/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 4.1.9 The Civil Nuclear Police Constabulary.......................................................................................19 4.1.10 Serious Fraud Office (SFO)......................................................................................................20 4.1.11 National Economic Crime Centre (NECC)...............................................................................21 4.1.12 The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI)...................................................................................21 4.1.13 Police National Computer Services (PNC)...............................................................................22 4.1.14 Recruitment and Training........................................................................................................22 5. The Police of England and Wales...........................................................23 5.1.1 A Brief History............................................................................................................................23 5.1.2 Governance.................................................................................................................................24 5.1.3 The Home Office........................................................................................................................25 5.1.4 The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)...............................................................................25 5.1.5 The Chief Constable...................................................................................................................26 5.1.6 The Tripartite System and Accountability...................................................................................27 5.1.7 Territorial Police Organisation and Staff.....................................................................................27 5.2 Operational Command Structure...............................................................................29 5.2.1 Gold (strategic) Commander.......................................................................................................29 5.2.2 Silver (tactical) Commander.......................................................................................................30 5.2.3 Bronze (operational) commander................................................................................................31 6. The Metropolitan Police...........................................................................31 6.1 A Brief History..........................................................................................................31 6.2 Governance...............................................................................................................32 6.3 Jurisdiction and Working with Other Forces.............................................................33 6.4 The Structure of the Met............................................................................................35 6.4.1 Anti Corruption and Abuse Command........................................................................................35 6.4.2 The Specialist Crime and Operation Directorate.........................................................................36 6.4.3 The Specialist Operations Directorate (SO)................................................................................38 6.4.4 A New Met for London...............................................................................................................39 7. The City of London Police.......................................................................40 7.1 Overview...................................................................................................................40 7.2 Structure, Organisation and Missions........................................................................40 7.3 Police Governance.....................................................................................................42 7.4 The Police Authority and the Police Committee........................................................42 3/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 7.5 Police and Crime Commissioners..............................................................................43 7.6 City of London 2018/19............................................................................................43 8. The Scottish Police (Poileas Alba).........................................................43 8.1 A Brief History..........................................................................................................43 8.2 Organization and Police Strategies............................................................................44 8.3 How the Service is Run.............................................................................................44 8.4 Police powers............................................................................................................45 8.4.1 Police powers of arrest................................................................................................................45 8.4.2 Police Stop and Search Powers...................................................................................................45 8.4.3 Age of Criminal Responsibility...................................................................................................46 8.5 Complaints, investigations and misconduct...............................................................46 8.5 Specialist Crime Division...........................................................................................46 8.5.1 Major Crime...............................................................................................................................47 8.5.2 Public Protection.........................................................................................................................47 8.5.3 Local crime.................................................................................................................................47 8.5.4 8.5.4 Intelligence support............................................................................................................47 8.6 Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism...................................................................47 8.7 Violence Reduction and Prevention...........................................................................48 8.8 Operational Support Division....................................................................................49 8.9 Police Investigations and Review Commissioner, Scotland......................................50 9. The Police Service of Northern Ireland (Seirbhís Póilíneachta Thuaisceart Éireann)....................................................................................50 9.1 History....................................................................................................................... 50 9.2 Policing in the Present...............................................................................................51 9.3 Accountability...........................................................................................................51 9.3.1 The Police Ombudsman's Office.................................................................................................51 9.3.2 The Police Ombudsman's Historical Investigations Directorate.................................................52 9.3.3 The Northern Ireland Policing Board..........................................................................................52 9.4 Organisation and Missions........................................................................................52 9.4.1 Justice.........................................................................................................................................52 9.4.2 Criminal Justice Branch..............................................................................................................53 4/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 9.4.3 Local Policing.............................................................................................................................53 9.4.4 Crime Operations........................................................................................................................53 9.4.5 Organised Crime Branch.............................................................................................................53 9.4.6 Partnerships................................................................................................................................53 9.4.7 Serious Crime Branch.................................................................................................................53 9.4.8 Intelligence Branch.....................................................................................................................54 9.4.9 Specialist Operations Branch......................................................................................................54 9.4.10 Public Protection Branch (PPB)................................................................................................54 9.4.11 Operational Support..................................................................................................................54 9.4.12 Professional Standards Department..........................................................................................56 9.4.13 Discipline Branch.....................................................................................................................56 9.4.14 Anti-Corruption Unit.................................................................................................................56 9.4.15 Service Vetting Unit (SUV)......................................................................................................56 9.4.16 Ranks........................................................................................................................................57 10. Additional information...........................................................................57 Useful links and sources.............................................................................57 10.1 Legislation...............................................................................................................57 10.2 Organisations and generalities.................................................................................57 10.3 Contact:...................................................................................................................58 5/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 1. Policing in the UK 1.1 Policing Principles 1.1.1 The Principle of policing by consent The principle of “policing by consent” is central to policing in the UK. It was most likely devised by the first Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis and describes the cultural and legal/duty status of a police officer. Police officers are seen as citizens in uniform and still swear an oath of allegiance to the monarch. The Peelian principles describe the philosophy that Sir Robert Peel developed to define an ethical police force. The principles traditionally ascribed to Peel state that: whether the police are effective is not measured on the number of arrests, but on the lack of crime. above all else, an effective authority figure knows trust and accountability are paramount. Hence, Peel's most often quoted principle that "The police are the public and the public are the police."1 “The principle of policing by consent derived not from fear but almost exclusively from public co-operation with the police, induced by them designedly by behaviour which secures and maintains for them the approval, respect and affection of the public.” It should be noted that it refers to the power of the police coming from the common consent of the public, as opposed to the power of the state. It does not mean the consent of an individual. No individual can chose to withdraw his or her consent from the police, or from a law. 1.1.2 Police Code of Ethics The Code of Ethics was produced by the College of Policing in 2014 in its role as the professional body for policing. It sets and defines the exemplary standards of behaviour for everyone who works in policing. The Code of Ethics is being reviewed. This follows a public consultation between July and September 2021. Follow this link to read the Code of Ethics at https://www.college.police.uk/ethics/code-of-ethics 1.2 Police Duties and Powers The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) codes of practice regulate police powers and protect public rights. Parts of this Act were amended by the Police Reform Act 1 source : Lentz, Susan A.; Chaires, Robert H. (2007). "The Invention of Peel's Principles: A Study of Policing "Textbook" History". Journal of Criminal Justice. 35 (1): 69–79. doi:10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2006.11.016. 6/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 2002 and then the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 which both modify some of the police powers and duties among other topics. PACE sets out to strike the right balance between the powers of the police and the rights and freedoms of the public. Maintaining that balance is a central element of codes of practice which cover: stop and search; arrest; detention, investigation; identification; interviewing detainees. The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 was brought in following recommendations set out by the Royal Commission on Criminal Procedure. The purpose of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 was to unify police powers under one code of practice and to carefully balance the rights of the individual against the powers of the police. There are codes of practice that accompany the Act to further clarify to police officers the extent of their powers. Sections 60 and 66 require the Secretary of State to issue codes of The Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) codes of practice regulate police powers and protect public rights. Parts of this Act were amended by the Police Reform Act 2002 and then the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 which both modify some of the police powers and duties among other topics. PACE sets out to strike the right balance between the powers of the police and the rights and freedoms of the public. Maintaining that balance is a central element of codes of practice which cover stop and search, practice in connection with the exercising of various powers. The codes of practice have been regularly amended in order to meet new requirements regarding terrorism and other important issues. Thus far eight such codes have been issued (Code A through to H) and are regularly updated. Police Powers and Procedures Act was updated in 2022 and stated that from the year ending March 2021 onwards; “Police powers and procedures is split into two separate statistical releases. The first, covers the use of stop and search and arrests and the second contains the use of other police powers under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984.” The Public Order Act 20232 builds on the existing legal framework governing the policing of protests. This is mainly contained in the Public Order Act 1986, which remains in force and further changes to this framework were introduced by the Policing Act 2022. 1.2.1 Duties The main tasks dedicated to the police officers in Britain today are: tackling crime and antisocial behaviour; 2 https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3153/publications#collapse-publication-press-notices 7/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary preventing crime; patrolling streets; developing community relations (especially with members of ethnic communities); answering calls for assistance; implementing traffic enforcement; maintaining and restoring public order. Crime prevention tasks are prominent as the police role is primarily to tackle crime before it occurs. Consequently, every police division appoints crime prevention officers who have a wide range of tasks aimed at limiting the opportunities for crime and assault etc.. 1.2.2 Police Powers a. Powers to Stop and Search3 The power to stop and search must be used fairly and responsibly. Police should respect the person being searched without prejudice. The intrusion on the person stopped must be brief and carried out in the proper manner with the stop being recorded in the right way. If an item is recovered during the search which the officer suspects to be a prohibited/stolen article the officer may seize that item. S1 (7) PACE sets out what prohibited articles are. They include: stolen goods; offensive weapons including bladed or sharply pointed items; articles intended for use in certain theft act offences; articles intended for destroying or damaging property added by S1 Criminal Justice Act 2003 e.g. spray paint cans and tools to cause graffiti; fireworks within the definition of fireworks in S1 Fireworks Act 2003. Other stop and search powers allow the police to search for other items such as: drugs (Misuse of Drugs Act); alcohol at sporting events; contraband, Customs and Excise management Act 1979; firearms and crossbows, Firearms Act. b. Powers of arrest To arrest an individual the police need reasonable grounds to suspect this individual is involved in a crime for which their arrest is necessary. The police have powers to arrest an individual anywhere and at any time, including on the street, at home or at work. 3 https://www.gov.uk/police-powers-to-stop-and-search-your-rights 8/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary If an individual tries to escape or becomes violent, the police can use “reasonable force”, eg. holding them down so they cannot run off. The police can also use handcuffs. c. Powers of detention There are three different types of detention. Detention without arrest, is only permitted in certain circumstances (unpaid fines, care or control of people with a mental disorder, etc.); Detention after arrest, where a person is arrested for an offence, they will be taken to a police station and kept in custody; Detention after charge, a person may be remanded in custody pending their trial or during their trial before sentencing. d. Police detention Under section 42 of PACE, detention in police custody before charge on the authority of a police officer is normally limited to 24 hours except where the alleged offence is an indictable one, where the maximum is 36 hours. The current powers enable a superintendent or above to authorise continued detention for up to 36 hours for all indictable offences. Additionally, the police can apply to magistrates for warrants of further detention, extending the maximum detention period to 96 hours. e. Powers of investigation, identification and interview These powers encompass a wide range of means such as: questioning and interviewing witnesses and detainees; collecting evidence, especially where a crime has been committed or plotted; collecting DNA and blood samples, biological materials or fingerprints; Searching computers and communication means; intercepting any type of communication transmitted by any type of device4. 2. Law Enforcement staff in the UK 2.1 Police officers5 As of 30 September 2022, the total police workforce size was 227,649 in the 43 police forces of England and Wales (population 57.5m). This included: 142,145 FTE police officers (up 3.3% on the previous year); 77,242 FTE police staff and designated officers (up 1.3% on last year); 8,263 FTE PCSOs (down 9.4% on last year); 4 Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act – 2000 5 https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/police-workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2022/police- workforce-england-and-wales-30-september-2022 9/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary The Metropolitan Police - 30,932 police officers; Police Scotland – 17,256 police officers (population 5.3m); PSNI (Northern Ireland) – 7,200 police officers (population 1.8m). 2.1.1 Police constables In the UK, “constable” is the legal term for an officer with the powers of a police officer. Its usage is mainly used in formal contexts, including legislation such as the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. By this definition, all police officers are constables, even those that do not hold the actual rank of constable. Thus the head of most police forces is a chief constable, volunteer officers of any rank are known as special constables and some police forces have the word "Constabulary" in their name. Within the police itself, there are three eponymous offices bearing the legal power of constable: Police Constable, Detective Constable and Special Constable (see also Special constables chapter). The first two of these are paid and hold mostly full-time positions. The ranks of Police Constable and Detective Constable are often abbreviated in everyday use to PC and DC respectively. Constable is the first rank, one rank below a Sergeant and five ranks below Chief Superintendent in all police forces in the United Kingdom. Within the British Police all police officers are sworn in and thus hold the basic powers of a constable. Upon being sworn in, each officer starts at the rank of constable and is required to undergo a two-year probationary period. Upon successful completion, constables can remain at their current rank, specialise in criminal investigations or one of many other specialist units, or apply for promotion to sergeant, the first supervisory rank. 2.1.2 Plain-clothes officers In the British police, plain-clothes officers are generally Investigating Officers (IO) or Senior Investigating Officers (SIO) with the rank of Detective Constable (DC), Detective Sergeant (DS), Detective Inspector (DI) or Detective Chief Inspector (DCI). Plainclothes DCs, DSs, DIs and DCIs are equal in rank to their uniformed counterparts (Constables, Sergeants, Inspectors and Chief Inspectors), the prefix "detective" identifying them as having been trained in criminal investigation and being part of or attached to their force's Criminal Investigation Department (CID) or other special units. 2.1.3 Police civilian staff For some years, “civilianisation” has been a progressive theme, with a number of departments now comprised entirely of support staff (Crime Scene Investigation, recruitment) and others with predominantly support staff as well as training/detainee interview teams. 10/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 2.1.4 Police Support Volunteers Police Support Volunteer (or PSV, or Police Community Volunteer - PCV) is a voluntary role within the ranks of British Police Forces that involves civilian and mainly office-based duties. PSV schemes became popular after 2000 when forces were expanding and needed to be more connected to the community. At the start, few forces had a civilian volunteer scheme but by 2010, 32 of the 43 police forces had PSV schemes. South Wales Police run a similar scheme alongside PSV, called Police Student Volunteer, a scheme that encourages students to help local policing teams. 2.1.5 Special Constables The Special Constabulary is the part-time volunteer section of statutory police forces in the United Kingdom and some Crown dependencies. Its officers are known as special constables (all hold the office of constable, no matter their grade) or informally as specials. A special constable is a volunteer who has all of the same powers as a regular police officer, and offers support to the regular constabulary. Every force in England and Wales has a Special Constabulary, with officers likely to get involved in all aspects of modern policing, but as a rule they tend not to be involved in the specialist areas of policing, focusing on more mainstream crime. As of March 2022, there were 8,545 special constables across the 43 forces of England and Wales, down from 9,174 the previous year, a drop of 6.9 per cent. The Police Service of Northern Ireland has a Reserve constituted on different grounds from the Special Constabulary in England and Wales. The British Transport Police (a national "special police force") also has a Special Constabulary. In the Crown dependencies, the Isle of Man Constabulary and the States of Guernsey Police Service also have special constabularies, but the States of Jersey Police does not. Special constables usually work for a minimum of 16/25 hours per month (depending on the force – the national minimum is 16 hours), although many do considerably more. Special constables might receive some expenses and allowances from the police service, including a £1,100 "recognition award" in Scotland and some forces in England, but their work is otherwise voluntary and unpaid. Special constables have identical powers to their regular (full-time) colleagues and work alongside regular police officers, but most special constabularies in England and Wales have their own organisational structure and grading system, which varies from force to force. Special constabularies are headed by a commandant or chief officer, who are themselves special constables. In Scotland, however, special constables have no separate administrative structure and no grading system. Within recent years the role of special constables has changed dramatically and they are now increasingly used alongside their regular colleagues to perform almost all police duties. As well as patrol duties, they often take part in response duties and specials often 11/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary police events such as sports matches, carnivals, parades and fêtes. While this event policing is the stereotypical image of a special constable, it only represents one of the wide range of duties undertaken. Many police Forces in England and Wales have introduced Neighbourhood Policing Teams and the Special Constabulary has been incorporated into this concept. The City of London Police recruits accountancy specialists to work directly for its Fraud Squad. 2.1.6 Police Community Support Officers A police community support officer (PCSO) is a uniformed civilian member of police support staff in England and Wales, a role created by Section 38(2) of the Police Reform Act 2002. They are non-warranted but are provided a variety of police powers and the power of a Constable in various instances by the forty-five territorial police forces in England and Wales and the British Transport Police (which is the only special police service to employ PCSOs). PCSOs were introduced in September 2002 and first recruited by the Metropolitan Police. PCSOs have a duty to act in the same manner and to the same standards as a police constable. Failure to do so could result in disciplinary or criminal proceedings related to misfeasance in public office or malfeasance in public office. Leeway may be given depending on the situation, as the circumstances may dictate they do not have the training or equipment to deal with a situation like a constable could. It is also accepted that PCSOs do not have to intervene in high risk situations and it is reasonable if they decide to withdraw from one. This is due to the non-confrontational purpose of their role. PCSOs are not attested constables, and therefore do not have the same powers of arrest. They can, however, utilise the 'any person' powers of arrest under section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (commonly known as a citizens' arrest). This means they are able to arrest anyone without warrant providing there are reasonable grounds to suspect they are committing, or have committed or are suspected to be guilty of an indictable or 'either-way' offence. This covers offences such as arson, criminal damage, theft, assault, possession of a controlled drug and burglary, etc. All PCSOs can also make common law arrests in exactly the same manner as a Constable to prevent a breach of the peace along with a power of entry. 2.1.7 UK Police Rank Structure (from lowest to highest rank) a) Police Constable f) Chief Superintendent b) Sergeant g) Assistant chief constable c) Inspector h) Deputy chief constable d) Chief Inspector i) Chief constable e) Superintendent 12/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 3. Police Forces in the UK 3.1 National Structures England, Wales and Scotland are part of Great Britain. The United Kingdom is larger as it also includes Northern Ireland. England and Wales are divided up into 54 counties, Scotland into 32 council areas and Northern Ireland into 6 counties. Police forces in the U.K. are organised as follows: 43 police forces in England and Wales Some of which include two or three counties such as West Mercia, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Thames Valley etc.. While London has two police forces: the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police. 1 police force in Scotland (Poileas Alba): the Scottish Police Authority (SPA) (Scottish Police) with 3 regional commands. 1 police force in Northern Ireland. 4 non-geographical police forces: ◦ the British Transport Police; ◦ the Ministry of Defence Police; ◦ the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC); ◦ the York Minster Police. Over the past 50 years, there have been a number of amalgamations of police forces in the United Kingdom, the most recent being the creation of a Scottish Police Force in 2013. Budget cuts have led to a number of cost-saving amalgamations of services such as: shared road patrol, firearms and dog handler services (Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire). There are three general types of law enforcement agency in the United Kingdom, the first is mostly concerned with policing the general public and their activities whilst the others are concerned with policing of more specific matters. 3.1.1 Territorial Police Services (TPS) They carry out the majority of policing. There are 45 territorial police services as of 2018 that cover a police area (a particular region) and have an independent police authority (England and Wales) or local authority or joint police board in Scotland, (see below for Northern Ireland). The Police Act 1996, the Police (Scotland) Act 1967 and the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000, prescribe a number of issues such as the appointment of a chief constable, jurisdiction and responsibilities for police forces in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland respectively. 13/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary Since the introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners in November 2012, the police services in England and Wales no longer have a police authority and this work is done by the police and crime prevention commissioners who are elected every four years. Certain territorial police services have units within them which have a national role, such the Specialist Operations directorate of the Metropolitan Police. 3.1.2 Regional Organised Crime Units The government’s 2018 Serious and Organised Crime Strategy, refered to as ‘the SOC strategy’ sets out how the ROCU network works with the National Crime Agency (NCA), police forces and external organisations to adopt a single, whole system approach. The Strategic Policing Requirement (SPR) defines ROCUs as: “the primary interface between the NCA and policing, supporting the co-ordination and tasking of the collective effort against the serious and organised crime threat.” The 2018 SOC strategy further explains the direction of development for ROCUs: “to lead the operational response to serious and organised crime on behalf of forces within their regions, taking tasking from the NCA on national priorities, and working together in a more networked way, allowing capacity and capability to be shared where appropriate.” ROCUs were established in 2009 and there are nine units across England and Wales. Each serve between three and seven constituent forces. The Metropolitan Police Service, City of London Police and British Transport Police work collaboratively to tackle SOC, but they do not currently have a ROCU, though this is being considered. The government’s 2018 SOC strategy uses a ‘4P’ approach to tackle SOC: to pursue offenders through prosecution and disruption; to prepare for when SOC occurs and mitigate impact; to protect individuals, organisations and systems; to prevent people from engaging in SOC. It also includes an objective to establish a single, whole system approach to tackling SOC. The strategy aims to equip the agencies involved in tackling SOC to play their part in “a single collective endeavour”. The main categories of SOC are: child sexual exploitation and abuse; illegal drugs; illegal firearms; fraud; money laundering and other economic crime; bribery and corruption; organised immigration crime; modern slavery and human trafficking; cyber-crime. 14/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 3.1.3 National law enforcement agencies They include the National Crime Agency (NCA) and British Transport Police (the latter operates only in England, Scotland, and Wales). The Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 refers to these as "special police forces". The National Crime Agency operates across the United Kingdom (but in Scotland or Northern Ireland requires the agreement of the domestic prosecuting authority to do so) against organised crime and acts as the UK point of contact for foreign agencies. There are also non-police law enforcement agencies whose officers, while not police constables, enforce laws such as the Serious Fraud Office and HM Revenue and Customs. 3.1.4 Miscellaneous police services They mostly have their foundations in older legislation or common law. These have a responsibility to police specific local areas or activities, such as ports and parks and before the passing of recent legislation such as the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 were often referred to as "special police services"; care must therefore be taken in interpreting historical use of that phrase. These constabularies are not within the scope of the legislation applicable to the previously mentioned organisations but can still be the subject of statutes applicable to, for example, docks, harbours or railways. 4. Other Special Police Forces, Agencies or Services 4.1.1 The National Crime Agency (NCA) The National Crime Agency6 is a crime-fighting agency operating within the legal framework set out in Part 1 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013. The NCA consists of officers, under the direction and control of the Director General (DG) of the NCA; NCA functions are exercisable on behalf of the Crown and has mandate and powers to work in partnership with the police and other law enforcement organisations in the UK and elsewhere to fight serious and organised crime. It operates across the UK, respecting the devolution of policing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. Its approximately 4,000 officers are based across the UK and in strategic locations around the world. There is no such thing as a ‘typical’ NCA officer. They come from different backgrounds and cultures, speak different languages and have different skills and experiences. Their diversity is one of their greatest strengths. Officers work in a wide range of roles, from investigations to intelligence, child protection, strategy, communications, facilities and finance. 6 https://www.nationalcrimeagency.gov.uk/who-we-are/publications/29-nca-framework-document/file 15/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary Serious and organised crime is a global phenomenon which cannot be tackled in isolation. Therefore, the NCA has built multi-agency partnerships across police, law enforcement, the public sector, private industry and internationally to lead, support and coordinate the UK’s response to a wide range of threats. The NCA leads their own operations, develops and disseminates intelligence to partners, supports and coordinates national and international activity, recovers assets and prevents and disrupts criminal activity. It also provides specialist operational capabilities such as offender profiling and serious crime analysis to support police and partners in law enforcement. The NCA also has the power to direct chief officers of police forces and law enforcement agencies in England and Wales to undertake specific operational tasks to assist the NCA or other partners. 4.1.2 The British Transport Police The BTP polices railways and light-rail systems in Great Britain is privately funded by Britain's privatised train companies. British Transport Police officers do not have jurisdiction in Northern Ireland unless working under mutual aid arrangements for the Police Service of Northern Ireland in which case any duties performed on a railway will be merely incidental to working as a constable in Northern Ireland. The BTP is an armed force. Its mission is to protect and serve the railway environment and its community, keeping levels of disruption, crime and the fear of crime as low as possible. The BTP polices Britain’s railways, providing a service to rail operators, their staff and passengers across the country. It also polices the London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, the Midland Metro tram system, Croydon Tramlink, Sunderland Metro, Glasgow Subway and Emirates AirLine. 4.1.3 Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) The MDP is a statutory force established by the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987, which authorises the Secretary of State for Defence to establish a police force led by a chief constable. The MDP derives its powers to operate as a policing organisation from the 1987 Act, as amended by the Anti-Terrorist Crime and Security Act 2001. Unlike most other police forces, the MDP has a national footprint, with officers stationed across the UK. It is a highly specialised armed force. The role of the MDP is to assure the protection of defence employees, assets, information and premises as well as securing an uninterrupted operation of the UK nuclear deterrent. MoD Police Officers do not patrol the streets. They protect sites of national importance, including all property and staff. MDP Officers operate across England, Scotland and Wales in a whole range of roles, from their Marine Unit to the Dog Section, from CID to the Special Escort Group, and from Tactical to Central or Operational Support. MDP Officers even lend their specialist skills to other police forces. 16/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary To fulfil this role, the MDP provides a range of specialist policing capabilities at various sensitive Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites across the UK. These include Faslane and Coulport on the Clyde, the Atomic Weapons sites at Aldermaston and Burghfield, the Devonport Naval Base, Defence Munitions establishments and other key sites, including MoD Whitehall. In addition, the MDP provides services by arrangement to other government departments, US Visiting Forces and non-defence sites such as the Royal Mint. The MoD has a requirement for dedicated MDP resources to be focused on the prevention and investigation of fraud, corruption and the theft of defence equipment and assets. The MDP has a Criminal Investigation Department that works closely with the MoD’s Defence Fraud Team. The general responsibility for the maintenance and enforcement of the criminal law in the UK rests with local police forces. The MDP is often called upon to assist the local forces investigating serious defence related crimes by providing defence policing expertise. The relationship between the MDP, Home Office police forces and the forces in Northern Ireland and Scotland is governed by agreed protocols. 4.1.4 The National Police Chiefs’ Council The National Police Chiefs’ Council7 (NPCC) brings together the expertise and experience of chief police officers from England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Chief officers holding a substantive rank or appointment at the rank of Assistant chief constable level (Commander in the Metropolitan Police Service and City of London Police) or above and senior police staff equivalents are members of NPCC. The body has multiple functions including: the co-ordination of national operations working with the National Crime Agency where appropriate; the command of counter terrorism operations and delivery of counter terrorist policing through the national network as set out in the Counter Terrorism Collaboration Agreement; the co-ordination of the national police response to national emergencies and the co-ordination of the mobilisation of resources across force borders and internationally; the national operational implementation of standards and policy as set by the College of Policing and Government; where appropriate, to work with the College of Policing in order to develop joint national approaches on criminal justice, value for money, service transformation, information management, performance management and technology and staff and human resource issues in line with the Chief Officers’ responsibilities as employers. 7 https://www.npcc.police.uk 17/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 4.1.5 The College of Policing The College8 was launched in 2012 and its role, functions and responsibilities have been expressly recognised by Parliament in statute. The College works nationally and internationally with UK government agencies, the commercial sector, inter-governmental organisations, international law enforcement agencies and foreign governments. It offers specialist operational policing advice, police leadership guidance and training and development expertise, in line with the UK Government's priorities. 4.1.6 The Inspectorate of Constabulary & Fire Rescue Services (HMICFRS) In summer 2017, HMIC took on inspections of England’s fire and rescue services, inspecting and reporting on their efficiency, effectiveness and people. To reflect this new role, the name was changed to HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) independently assesses and reports on the effectiveness and efficiency of police forces and fire & rescue services – in the public interest. It asks the questions that it believes the public wish to have answered, and publishes the findings, conclusions and recommendations. It uses its expertise to interpret the evidence and make recommendations for improvement. HMICFRS inspects across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It also inspects law enforcement arrangements in British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, on invitation from the relevant government, as well as non-territorial services, specialist agencies and international police forces. 4.1.7 Independent Office for Police Conduct The Independent Office for Police Conduct9 (IOPC) is the reformed police watchdog, previously known as the Independent Police Complaints Commission. New leadership under a director general aims at speedier decision-making with a new board to ensure greater accountability to the public. This is the latest step in the Home Office’s reforms to strengthen the organisation and will lead to new powers. The new single executive head ensures clear lines of accountability and a streamlined decision-making process. As well as these changes, the Policing and Crime Act 2017 includes further provisions which will increase the IPCO’s powers, clarify its investigative processes and further 8 https://www.college.police.uk 9 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/independent-office-for-police-conduct 18/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary safeguard its independence. The major reforms were announced by Prime Minister Theresa May during her time as Home Secretary and these powers will allow the IOPC to: initiate its own investigations without relying on a force to record and refer a particular case for investigation; reopen cases it has closed where there are compelling reasons, such as new evidence; increase the IOPC’s independence from the police by abolishing ‘managed’ and ‘supervised’ investigations; investigate all disciplinary investigations against chief officers; present cases against officers in the police disciplinary process when the force disagrees with the IOPC’s findings. 4.1.8 The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) The ‘Centre for Applied Science and Technology’ (CAST) integrated with the ‘Defence Science and Technology Laboratory’ (Dstl) on 1 April 2018. It is one of the principal government organisations dedicated to science and technology in the defence and security field. It supplies specialist services to wider government, working collaboratively with external partners in industry and academia worldwide, providing expert research, specialist advice and invaluable operational support. Responsibilities include: supplying sensitive and specialist science and technology services for wider government; providing and facilitating expert advice, analysis and assurance on defence procurement; leading the Dstl science and technology programmes; understanding risks and opportunities through horizon-scanning; acting as a trusted interface between, wider government, the private sector and academia to provide science and technology support to military operations by the UK and her allies; championing and developing science and technology skills within international work such as coordinating the UK’s involvement in NATO science and technology activities. 4.1.9 The Civil Nuclear Police Constabulary The Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) is the armed police force in charge of protecting civil nuclear sites and nuclear material shipment in England, Scotland and Wales. It falls under the remit of the newly formed Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy instead of the Home Office. 19/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary The core role of the CNC is to provide armed policing and security for civil nuclear establishments and materials, throughout the United Kingdom and to maintain a state of readiness against any possible attack on a licensed nuclear site whilst also providing assistance to local police forces within their area. CNC police officers have the same powers as regular police officers, but with jurisdiction limited to those set out in the Energy Act 2004, which are: any place when escorting nuclear materials in transit; any place when pursuing or detaining subjects who have unlawfully removed or interfered with materials guarded by the CNC, or have been reasonably suspected of being guilty of doing so; civil nuclear sites; land around such sites up to 5 km from the boundary; shipyards when safeguarding such nuclear materials. 4.1.10 Serious Fraud Office (SFO)10 The SFO is a specialist prosecuting authority tackling top level serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption. It is part of the UK criminal justice system covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but not Scotland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands. It takes on a small number of large economic crime cases. The Director may investigate any suspected offence which appears to them, on reasonable grounds, to involve serious or complex fraud, bribery or corruption. In considering whether to authorise an investigation the Director will take into account the actual or intended harm that may be caused to: the public; the reputation and integrity of the UK as an international financial centre; the economy and prosperity of the UK. and whether the complexity and nature of the suspected offence warrants the application of the SFO’s specialist skills, powers and capabilities to investigate and prosecute. The SFO also pursues criminals for the financial benefit they have made from their crimes and assist overseas jurisdictions with their investigations into serious and complex fraud, bribery and corruption cases. Since 30 September 2017 the SFO has had the power to investigate and prosecute the new offence of corporate failure to prevent the facilitation of overseas tax evasion. It is unusual in the UK in that the SFO both investigates and prosecutes its cases. The SFO was created and given its powers under the Criminal Justice Act 1987 and was established in 1988. 10 https://www.sfo.gov.uk/about-us/ 20/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary The SFO is superintended by the Attorney General in accordance with a protocol which sets out the relationship between the Attorney General and the Law Officers’ Departments. The Bigger Picture The SFO works with other law enforcement partners to tackle the challenges faced from serious and organised crime in line with the Government’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy. In particular it works closely with: The National Crime Agency’s Economic Crime Command, International Corruption Unit and Bribery and Corruption Intelligence Unit; The City of London Police, including its Economic Crime Directorate, Action Fraud, and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau; UK police forces and Regional Organised Crime Units, Regional Asset Recovery Teams and Regional Fraud Teams; HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC); The Financial Conduct Authority. The SFO also works collaboratively with UK Government departments, including its superintending department, the Attorney General’s Office, the Home Office and Ministry of Justice, and with overseas partners, such as the US Department of Justice, on matters where there is a common interest. The SFO is a partner in “Project Bloom” which is a multi-agency campaign to combat scams where people are encouraged to move or cash in their pension pots at great financial risk or loss. 4.1.11 National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) The NECC is the national authority for the UK’s operational response to economic crime, maximising the value of intelligence and tasking and coordinating to ensure the response achieves the greatest impact on the threat. The SFO is a key member of the NECC, which is hosted by the NCA and staffed by partners from across the law enforcement community including the Financial Conduct Authority, HMRC, City of London Police and the private sector. The agencies involved work together to develop a shared understanding of the threat, an agreed prioritisation mechanism and collective accountability for delivering an effective response and ways of assessing the impact of this response. 4.1.12 The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) 11 UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is a division of the Home Office responsible for the United Kingdom's visa system. It was formed in 2013 from the section of the UK Border Agency that had administered the visa system. 11 https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-visas-and-immigration/about 21/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary UKVI responsibilities are: to run the UK’s Visa Service, managing applications from overseas nationals who wish to come to the UK to visit, study or work; to consider applications for British citizenship from overseas nationals who wish to settle here permanently; to run the UK’s Asylum Service offering protection to those eligible under the 1951 Geneva Convention; to decide applications from employers and educational establishments who want to join the register of sponsors; to manage appeals from unsuccessful applicants. 4.1.13 Police National Computer Services (PNC) The PNC is a national database of information available to all police forces and law enforcement agencies throughout England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and the British Transport Police. It holds details of people who are, or were, of interest to UK law enforcement agencies because they have convictions for criminal offences or are subject to the legal process. The following are some of the details held by PNC: personal descriptions (not given warning markers; by PNC bureau); pending prosecutions; bail conditions (not given by PNC disqualified driver records; bureau); cautions; convictions; drink drive related offences; custodial history; reprimands; wanted or missing reports; formal warnings. 4.1.14 Recruitment and Training The selection process12 across the UK is broadly similar. This involves online behavioural assessment tests, a written application, a series of role play scenarios an interview and vetting, fitness and medical tests. Once recruited, officers undertake training for around 25-30 weeks which involves all aspects of policing. They then spend around 10-12 weeks with a tutor officer “doing the job”. They can then patrol solo and are confirmed as police officers two years after joining. Until recently, all police officers had to join as constables and progression to higher ranks was through exam, interview and selection for internal accelerated promotion schemes after two years’ service. Following the Winsor report into police reform, Fast Track and Direct Entry are two new programmes that have been introduced and which aim to attract 12 https://www.joiningthepolice.co.uk/training-progression/training 22/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary a wider pool of talents into the police service, as well as rapidly promoting the very best talents from within the service. Fast Track offers a development programme and promotion mechanism to enable the most talented to advance to the rank of inspector within two years for serving constables. Fast track involves a three-year programme run by the College of Policing and features both classroom and on-the-job training and development. It seeks to elevate candidates to the rank of Inspector after these three years. These candidates can come from police staff as well as outside entrants. The Direct Entry Inspector programme offers to graduated applicants the possibilty to become inspector through a 24-month training course. Direct Entry Superintendent programme is a significant change to the “through the ranks” system that has existed for 180 years. Senior leaders from industry can apply and become Superintendent. Candidates attend a 18-month programme and are supported throughout by mentors, skilled workplace coaches and the College of Policing. 5. The Police of England and Wales 5.1.1 A Brief History Early policing in Britain was based on the process of hue and cry which relied on citizen volunteers, and later a conscription system known as posse comitatus. 23/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary Law enforcement and policing during the 1700s, and earlier, were not administrated nationally, instead they were organised by local communities such as town authorities. Within local areas, a constable could be attested by two or more Justices of the Peace, a procedure that some sources say had its roots in an Act of the Parliament of England of 1673. From the 1730s, local improvement Acts made by town authorities often included provision for paid watchmen or constables to patrol towns at night while rural areas had to rely on more informal arrangements. From these early days to the 1840s, some town authorities became more involved in improving local policing and several legal texts better regulated the way watchmen and constables were managed. In 1847 two pieces of national legislation were enacted - the Town Police Clauses Act 1847 and the Harbours, Docks, and Piers Clauses Act 1847. Parliament continued to discuss the idea of national policing and, by the early 1850s, the Government was thinking about implementing policing across the nation. After the County and Borough Police Act in 1856, policing became a requirement throughout England and Wales paid for by central government Treasury department funds distributed to local government. In addition, the Act formed a "central inspectorate of constabulary" that would assess the effectiveness of each constabulary and report regularly to the Home Secretary. Parliament passed a similar Act for Scotland in 1857. The Police Act of 1946 led to the merger of a number of smaller town forces and surrounding county forces, leaving 117 constabularies. Further mergers took place following the 1964 Police Act which cut the number of police forces in England and Wales to 47. Since the 1960s, police forces in England and Wales have been merged and modernised by several Acts of Parliament. The last comprehensive reform of the police was the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE). It is an Act of Parliament which instituted a legislative framework for the powers of police officers in England and Wales to combat crime, and provided codes of practice for the exercise of those powers. PACE required the Home Secretary to issue Codes of Practice governing police powers. The aim of PACE is to establish a balance between the powers of the police in England and Wales and the rights and freedoms of the public. 5.1.2 Governance The current system of holding the 43 forces of England and Wales13 accountable has been characterised as ‘the tripartite structure of police accountability’. Established under the 1964 Police Act, following the deliberations of the 1962 Royal Commission on the Police, this remains the fundamental basis of police governance. The tripartite system distributes responsibilities between the Home Office, the Police and Crime Authority, and the chief commissioner of the force. 13 The Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police do not fall within the scope of this structure. 24/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 5.1.3 The Home Office The Home Office is responsible for policing in England and Wales. The Secretary of State for the Home Department is more commonly known as the Home Secretary. The Home Secretary is legally accountable for national security and for the role that the police service plays in delivering any national response to policing issues that arise and has responsibility in matters such as legislation and police reform. The Home Secretary also has the authorising responsibility in law for surveillance legislation. The Home Secretary ultimately has to answer to Parliament and is responsible for making sure communities, in all force areas, are kept safe and secure, and for protecting national borders and security. Today, The Home Office is the key player as it has the general responsibility of promoting and maintaining the efficiency and the effectiveness of police forces. The Home Office also uses a funding formula to provide the majority of funds to the 43 police forces in England and Wales, with the rest mostly being raised through the precept (specific tax on the local population served by the relevant force). There are variations locally on the amount provided by the Home Office. The introduction of PCCs in 2012 allowed the Home Office to withdraw from day-to-day policing matters, giving the police greater freedom to fight crime as they see fit. It also gives local communities the power to hold the police to account. 5.1.4 The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)14 A PCC is a publicly elected official in England and Wales charged with securing efficient and effective policing of a police area. Commissioners are elected for four-year terms. The first incumbents were elected in November 2012. PCCs replaced the abolished police authorities. The core functions of PCCs are to secure the maintenance of an efficient and effective police force within their area, and to hold the chief constable to account for the delivery of the police and crime plan. PCCs are charged with holding the police fund (from which all policing of the area is financed) and raising the local policing precept from council tax. They are also responsible for the appointment, suspension and dismissal of the chief constable. Shortly after their election to office, a PCC must produce a "police and crime plan". That plan must include their objectives for policing, what resources will be provided to the chief constable and how performance will be measured. The PCC is required to produce an annual report to the public on progress in policing. Police and crime commissioners hold the 'police fund', from which all policing is financed. The bulk of funding for the police fund comes from the Home Office in the form of an annual grant (calculated on a proportionate basis by the Home Office to take into account the differences between the 43 forces in England and Wales, which vary significantly in 14 The post of PCC should not be confused with the police rank of Commissioner. 25/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary terms of population, geographical size, crime levels and trends), and as mentioned above, PCCs also set a precept on the Council Tax to raise additional funds. The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 established police and crime panels within each force area in England and Wales (excluding Greater London). These panels consist of at least one representative from each local authority in that area, and at least two independent members co-opted by the panel. Panels are responsible for scrutinising commissioners' decisions and ensuring this information is available to the public. They must review the commissioner's draft police and crime plan and draft annual report before publication, and the commissioner must give their comments due consideration. A Police and Crime Panel may require the attendance of the commissioner or a member of their staff at any time, and may suspend a commissioner from office where they are charged with a serious criminal offence. Police and crime panels are able to veto a Commissioner's proposed precept or proposed candidate for chief constable by a two-thirds majority. 5.1.5 The Chief Constable Chief constable is the rank used by the chief police officer of every territorial police force in the United Kingdom except for the City of London Police and the Metropolitan Police, as well as the chief officers of the three 'special' national police forces, the British Transport Police, the Ministry of Defence Police, and the Civil Nuclear Constabulary. The chief constable is assisted by a deputy chief constable (DCC) and one or more assistant chief constables (ACC). The chief constable, DCC and ACCs are collectively known as the "chief officers" of a force. All provincial police forces are under the direction and control of an appointed chief constable, who in carrying out the functions of his office, must pay regard to the local policing plan that has been issued by the PCC. The chief constable is responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of members of his force who are below the rank of Assistant chief constable as well as for the management and control of his force. He decides how and on what to spend the budget. He has sole responsibility for operational matters and sets local operational priorities. He is required to submit an annual report to his PCC and the Home Secretary. He is answerable, in discipline terms, to his PCC. 26/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 5.1.6 The Tripartite System and Accountability Home Secretary / Home Police and Crime Chief Constable Office Commissioner determines key national responsible for responsible for direction policing objectives. maintaining an effective and control of the force and efficient force produces annual responsible for national policing plan determines local operational control and presents it to policing priorities. drafts local policing plan parliament produces a strategy in conjunction with local directs police authorities consistent with national police authority to establish policing plan responsible for performance targets. determines achieving local and can require a police arrangements for public national policing force to take remedial consultation objectives action if HMICFRS established as a responsible for resource judges them inefficient precepting body allocation or ineffective responsible for chief constables and determines cash grant budgeting and resource deputy/ assistant chief to police authorities allocation constables on fixed approves appointment responsible for term contracts of chief constables appointment and dismissal of the chief issues statutory codes constable of practice and directions to police can require suspension authorities or early dismissal on public interest grounds issues statutory codes of practice to chief set a programme, officers “public consultation” to ensure accountability. has authority to order amalgamations 5.1.7 Territorial Police Organisation and Staff Each force is divided into large areas, usually following administrative boundaries. These are known as areas or divisions but are essentially a cluster of Local Policing areas (LPA) This is the first level of operational command. Each area is headed by a senior manager, normally a Chief Superintendent. Dependant upon the force, the local area will have both local officers and satellite offices of HQ departments, such as investigations units and CSI (Crime Scene Investigators). 27/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary The area is further divided into smaller areas, again usually based on the administrative boundaries. The number varies widely depending upon the size of the police force and local area. Forces use different names; LPA’s (Local Policing Areas), BCU’s (Basic Command Units) and districts to name but three. The principle is broadly the same. As previously stated, a force area usually contains several local authority areas and the LPA/BCU is one or more of these. An LPA is often led by a Chief Inspector. The LPA can have sub areas which may be a small town and its surrounding villages and hamlets. An Inspector would normally have responsibility for this. All police forces have teams of officers who are responsible for general beat duties and response to emergency and non-emergency calls from the public. These officers are generally the most visible and will invariably be the first interface a member of the public has with police. In general terms these officers will normally patrol by vehicle (though also on foot or by bicycle in urban areas). They will generally patrol a sub-division or whole division of a police force area. Nearly all police officers begin their careers in this area of policing, with some moving on to more specialist roles. Most local areas or wards in the country have at least one police officer who is involved in trying to build links with the local community and resolve long-term problems. In London, the Metropolitan Police Service addresses this area of policing with Safer Neighbourhood Teams. This entails each political ward in London having a Police Sergeant, two police constables and a few PCSOs who are ring-fenced to address problems and build community links in their respective wards. Other police forces have similar systems but can be named 'Area officers', 'Neighbourhood officers', 'Beat Constables' and a number of other variations. Criminal Investigation Departments (CID) can be found in all police forces. Generally these officers deal with investigations of a more complex, serious nature, however this again can differ from force to force. Most officers within this area are detectives. Depending on the force in question this area of policing can be further divided into a myriad of other specialist areas. Smaller forces tend to have detectives who deal with a wide range of varied investigations whereas detectives in larger forces can have a very specialist remit. All police forces have specialist departments that deal with certain aspects of policing. Larger forces such as Greater Manchester Police, Strathclyde Police and West Midlands Police have many and varied departments and units such as traffic, firearms, marine, horse, tactical support all named differently depending on the force. Smaller forces such Dyfed Powys Police and Warwickshire Police will have fewer specialists and will rely on cross training, such as firearms officers also being traffic trained officers. 28/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 5.2 Operational Command Structure The generic command structure, nationally recognised, accepted and used by the police, other emergency services and partner agencies, is based on the gold, silver, bronze (GSB) hierarchy of command and can be applied to the resolution of both spontaneous incidents and planned operations. This structure provides a framework for delivering a strategic, tactical and operational response to an incident or operation. It also allows processes to be established that facilitate the flow of information, and ensures that decisions are communicated effectively and documented as part of an audit trail. Most incidents and operations are resolved by using a simple GSB command structure, with the responsibilities and accountabilities of each commander clearly set out in command protocols. The command structure is role not rank specific and allows for flexibility. 5.2.1 Gold (strategic) Commander The gold commander assumes and retains overall command for the operation or incident. They have overall responsibility and authority for the gold strategy and any tactical parameters that silver or bronze commanders should follow. The gold commander, however, should not make tactical decisions. They are responsible for ensuring that any tactics deployed are proportionate to the risks identified, meet the objectives of the 29/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary strategy and are legally compliant, particularly in terms of the Human Rights Act 199815. The gold commander chairs the gold group or the strategic coordinating group (SCG). Gold (strategic) commander’s roles and responsibilities vary according to the nature and scale of an incident: strategic firearms commander; gold public order commander; gold commander for an emergency or major incident; gold commander for a CBRN incident; gold commander for counter-terrorism. Where the police respond to an emergency or major incident, a gold commander assumes overall command and has ultimate responsibility and accountability for the response to that incident. The gold commander chairs the SCG, which is the multi-agency forum operating at the gold tier of command. 5.2.2 Silver (tactical) Commander The silver commander commands and coordinates the overall tactical response in compliance with the strategy, and is the tactical commander of the incident. Generally, there should be one tactical commander, but it may not be practical or desirable in large- scale incidents or operations to have a single silver commander. The gold commander (when appointed or in a position to assume command) decides how many silver commanders are appointed and their individual span of command. Silver (tactical) commander roles and responsibilities. These vary according to the nature and scale of an incident: tactical firearms commander; silver public order commander; silver commander for an emergency or major incident; silver commander for a CBRN incident; silver commander for counter-terrorism. Silver commanders should liaise with bronze commanders when developing the tactical plan. Silver commanders should also ensure that bronze commanders understand the strategic intentions, the key points of the wider tactical plan, and tactical objectives that relate specifically to their area of responsibility. 15 https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/civil-rights/human-rights/the-human-rights-act-1998/ 30/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 5.2.3 Bronze (operational) commander The bronze commander is responsible for the command of a group of resources, and carrying out functional or geographical responsibilities related to the tactical plan. The tasks identified by the silver commander are delegated to bronze commanders to deliver in accordance with the priorities set by the silver commander and/or tactical coordinating group. The number of bronze commanders and their roles/specialisms is determined by the scale and nature of the incident. Bronze roles are created and disbanded throughout the period of an incident/operation and can be allocated based on geographic (commands a geographic area) or functional (commands a specific task, e.g. bronze public order) considerations. Bronze commanders must have a clear understanding of the silver commander’s tactical plan, i.e., what they are required to deliver, in what timescale and with what resources. Some bronze commander roles require specialist knowledge, skills and expertise and, therefore, should be allocated to individuals or post-holders who are appropriately trained and competent. Bronze (operational) commander roles and responsibilities: operational firearms commander; bronze public order commander; bronze commander for an emergency or major incident; bronze commander for a CBRN incident; bronze commander for counter-terrorism. 6. The Metropolitan Police 6.1 A Brief History In 1829, the Metropolitan Police Force was founded by Sir Robert Peel, the then Home Secretary. The new force replaced the local “Watch” in the area of London but did not cover the City of London. Several Parliamentary committees were appointed between 1812 and 1826 to investigate the subject of crime and policing in the London area, but it was not until the findings of the 1826 Committee that Peel was able to put his police Bill before Parliament. The Metropolitan Police was formed in September 1829. Peel appointed Richard Mayne and Col. Charles Rowan to set up the force in the way they considered best and in July 1829 he approved their proposal of a force made up of 895 constables, 88 sergeants, 20 inspectors and 8 superintendents. It was stressed by the Joint Commissioner Peel that the main duty of the police was crime prevention (rather than 31/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary detection) and he made the decision that the Metropolitan police would be directly responsible to the Home Secretary himself. 6.2 Governance The Met is by no means a law unto itself. It is an integral part of the structure of London and subject to rigorous scrutiny and checks by various bodies to ensure that it is operating in accordance to its mandate. The Commissioner is accountable in law for exercising police powers and to the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC)16 and is held to account for the delivery of policing by the Home Secretary and the Mayor of London. Both have a role in appointing the Commissioner, with the decision taken by the Home Secretary following consultation with the mayor. The Home Secretary also has a specific role regarding the functions of the Met that go beyond policing London – for example, counter-terrorism policing and the national policing functions that the Met carries out. The Mayor of London was given a direct mandate for policing in London in 2011, as part of the Police and Social Responsibility Act. As such, the Mayor is responsible for setting the strategic direction of policing in London through the Police and Crime Plan. A number of powers are devolved to MOPAC, which is led by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime. This includes the delivery of efficient and effective Met policing, management of resources and expenditure (MOPAC is the functional body of the Greater London Assembly that sets the policing budget, holds the Commissioner to account and in partnership discusses progress against the Police and Crime Plan, assesses the strategic budget position and key risks to delivery). The London Assembly also has a role in providing the formal check and balance on policing in London. The assembly’s Police and Crime Committee is charged with examining the work of MOPAC and matters of policing interest in London, and in doing so publicly scrutinises the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime on a regular basis, alongside the Commissioner. Post consultation with the Commissioner, the Deputy Mayor recommends to the Mayor, an annual policing budget for the Met. Each year, the Met publishes an annual statement of accounts that sets out the financial position of the Met. To accompany this, the Met produces an annual governance statement (AGS), which is a statutory document explaining the governance processes and procedures in place to enable the Met to carry out its functions effectively. MOPAC oversee the Met’s financial accounts through the Investment Advisory Board (also monitors estates) and the MOPAC/MPS Audit Panel (also holds the Met to account for other areas of governance including internal controls, health and safety and equality and diversity). The Met undergoes substantial inspection and audit activity by a number of external bodies and organisations to ensure that it is providing an effective and efficient service to Londoners. A number of these have statutory obligations including: 16 https://www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/mayors-office-policing-and-crime-mopac 32/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) 17 which makes judgments on the Met and identifies improvement areas and reports to Parliament; The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) 18 which oversees complaints made about the Met and has a statutory responsibility to secure and maintain public confidence in police complaints; Directorate of Audit, Risk and Assurance (DARA) 19 which has a statutory obligation to provide an annual judgement on how effective the governance framework, internal controls and risk management are. Management Board To ensure the Met conforms to its statutory obligations, a Management Board is responsible for setting the strategic direction, making strategic decisions and monitoring organisational performance. This is supported by 3 other boards: Portfolio & Investment Board - makes decisions around Business Cases, monitors Portfolio and Programme performance; People & Training Board – focuses on Talent Management, Staff, Inclusion and Diversity, Training, Pay and Rewards; Risk & Assurance Board – considers Risk, Audit, Business Continuity and Assurance. A number of other boards sit under these boards including the Health & Safety Board and the Information Management & Security Board. All make key decisions to support effective governance. Within directorates, various scrutiny and decision-making boards take place like Chief Officer Group meetings and Crime-fighters, where operational leads are held to account by the Assistant Commissioner for performance in their area. 6.3 Jurisdiction and Working with Other Forces The Metropolitan Police Service (abbreviated to MPS and widely known informally as "the Met") polices 620 square miles and serves more than eight million people across Greater London. The area policed by the Metropolitan Police District (MPD), consists of 32 boroughs within Greater London, excluding the City of London. With regards to this geographic boundaries, the Met is divided into a number of Borough Operational Command Units (BOCU) matching the 32 London boroughs. Within the 32 boroughs are over 600 Safer Neighbourhood Teams. The MPS works in conjunction with neighbouring forces but has particularly close ties with the other forces that police London: the British Transport Police, The City of London Police and the Ministry of Defence Police. 17 https://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/ 18 https://www.policeconduct.gov.uk/ 19 http://policeauthority.org/Metropolitan/about/people/dara/index.html 33/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary Despite these specialist forces the MPS is statutorily responsible for law and order throughout the MPD and can take primacy of any incident or investigation within this area. Metropolitan police officers have legal jurisdiction throughout England and Wales. Within the MPD, the MPS will take over any investigation from the Ministry of Defence Police and the British Transport Police if it is deemed necessary. Terrorist incidents and complex murder enquiries are almost always investigated by the MPS helped by the relevant specialist force (British Transport Police or Ministry of Defence) even if the crime was committed within the jurisdiction of these specialist forces. NB. An important difference relating to the normal jurisdiction of territorial police forces in England and Wales is that MPS officers involved in protection duties of the Royal Family and other VIPs have full police power in Scotland and Northern Ireland in relation to these duties. llustration 1: The Boroughs 34/59 - Leaflet on The UK Police System - CNFLIG.  Back to Summary 6.4 The Structure of the Met “Total Policing: a total war on crime, total care for victims, and total professionalism from our staff.”20 The Met is the UK's largest police service and has 25% of the total police budget for England and Wales. As such, it requires considered structure and division of disciplines and skills; with the aim of maintaining a finely-tuned, cohesive organisation. The MPS Headquarters, New Scotland Yard (NSY) is at Broadway SW1. The MPS employs (as of 31 March 2023): 34,545 officers; 10,315 police staff; 1,205 Police community support officers; 1,551 Special constables. The Met comprises four business groups: Frontline Policing; Specialist Operations; Met Operations; Professionalism. These are supported by a single Met HQ that provides strategic services covering People and Change, Commercial and Finance, Legal, Media and Communications, Strategy and Governance and Digital Policing. As a large organization, the complex command structure of the MPS reflects the diverse range of tasks it is expected to undertake The Met along with its tasks has significant national