Law enforcement in the United Kingdom
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[[Image:mounted.police.buckingham.palace.arp.jpg|thumb|250px|Mounted officer of the [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]] at [[Buckingham Palace]], [[London]]]]
'''Law enforcement in the United Kingdom''' is regulated by the laws of the appropriate country of the [[United Kingdom]], i.e., [[Scotland]], [[Northern Ireland]], [[England and Wales]] (administration of [[police]] matters is not generally affected by the [[Government of Wales Act 2006]]), and arranged in geographical areas matched to the boundaries of one or more local authorities.
The majority of law enforcement is carried out by '''[[territorial police force]]s'''. These are police forces that cover a 'police area' (a particular geographical region) and have an independent [[Police authority|Police Authority]]. Current police forces have their grounding in the [[Police Act 1964]] (in [[England and Wales]]), the [[Police (Scotland) Act 1967]] or the [[Police (Northern Ireland) Act 2000]], which prescribe a number of issues such as appointment of a [[Chief Constable]], jurisdiction and responsibilities. There are also '''[[special police force]]s''', that have a specific, non-regional jurisdiction, such as the [[British Transport Police]].
Additionally, there are a number of non-police '''law enforcement agencies''', whose employees are not [[police officer]]s, but still enforce laws. Lastly, there remain numerous miscellaneous '''private police forces''', mostly having their foundations in older legislation. These have a responsibility to police specific local areas or activities, such as ports, parks and universities. These constabularies were often created by specific legislation, such as statutes for docks, harbours or railways.
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==Jurisdictions and territories==
The United Kingdom has three distinct legal systems covering [[England and Wales]], [[Scotland]], and [[Northern Ireland]]. A [[constable]]'s powers can be exercised throughout the [[jurisdiction]] within which he has taken oath and in others within legally-defined circumstances. A police officer of one of the three jurisdictions has all the powers of a [[constable]] throughout their own jurisdiction but generally no police powers in the other two jurisdictions unless he has been additionally sworn as occurs with police in border areas (many of what are perceived as "police" powers, such as the general power of arrest, are actually possessed by all citizens so a constable is never totally powerless). All police officers are "constables" in law, irrespective of [[Police ranks of the United Kingdom|rank]]. Police officers of one of the specialised police services such as the [[British Transport Police]] or [[Ministry of Defence Police]] have more restricted jurisdiction. Although British police officers have wide ranging powers, they are still [[civilian]]s and subject to the same laws as members of the public. (See [[List of police forces in the United Kingdom]] for a fuller explanation of jurisdictions.)
The smallest territorial police force in the UK is the [[City of London Police]], which is responsible for law enforcement within the [[City of London]] and some of its extra-territorial possessions, the City having strongly resisted various plans in recent years to merge its force with the [[Metropolitan Police Service]] (which serves [[Greater London]]). It is the single exception to the general grouping of UK police forces into areas of at least "county" size. Like the neighbouring Metropolitan Police, it assists other forces with some specialised crime matters. The rest of Greater London is policed by the [[Metropolitan Police]], which is also the largest police service in the country, by a large margin, in terms of organisational size.
Certain departments of the [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]] operate extra-territorially to varying extents, including the [[Counter Terrorism Command]], [[Royalty and Diplomatic Protection Department]], and certain units of the [[Specialist Crime Directorate]]. The recently formed [[Serious Organised Crime Agency]] operates in conjunction with the [[Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency]] and the [[Northern Ireland Organised Crime Taskforce]] due to them having similar remits{{Fact|date=June 2008}}.
A number of other police forces exist which were not formed under general national legislation and are not responsible for general public policing. These have previously been referred to as "special police forces", but that designation has now been given the special meaning of describing the [[British Transport Police]] (BTP), the [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]] (CNC), the [[Ministry of Defence Police]] (MDP) and the [[Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency]]: their remit being associated with particular activities which cross national and local boundaries.
The miscellaneous police forces which are neither territorial police forces nor (by the new definition) special police forces include various bodies (not all uniformed) such as those responsible for some local authority-owned public parks; the smallest force is possibly the [[York Minster Police]], however these very small police forces provide no general police services to the public and tend to rely on the local territorial force when assistance is required.
==History==
{{Cleanup-list|date=January 2008}}
[[Image:1919 Battle of George Square - David Kirkwood.jpg|thumb|right|[[David Kirkwood]] being detained by police during the [[1919 Battle of George Square]]]]
[[Image:police.heli.kemble.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|A police helicopter ([[Eurocopter EC 135]]T), shared by the English police forces of [[Avon and Somerset Constabulary|Avon and Somerset]] and [[Gloucestershire Constabulary|Gloucestershire]]]]
The office of [[Constable]] has existed in [[England]] since [[Saxon people|Saxon]] times, but modern police forces did not start using the title until the early 19th century, with the introduction of broadly similar forces in localised areas.
* 1682: Edinburgh Town Guard formed to police the city and enforce an initiated [[curfew]]; it was disbanded in 1817. It gained notoriety in 1726 when its Captain Porteous became the trigger for the [[Porteous Riots]].
* 1749, [[Bow Street Runners]]. Considered the foundation to all modern police forces.
* 1779: Glasgow Magistrates appoint James Buchanan as the first Inspector of the Glasgow Police, with an establishment of eight police officers, but it was disbanded owing to a lack of money in 1781.
* 1788: The Glasgow Police was re-established, but failure to succeed in getting a Bill before Parliament meant that the force again failed, in 1790.
* Late 18th century: The [[Marine Police]] was established, based in [[Wapping]]: this was a localised force with a limited remit.
* 1800: The [[Glasgow Police Act]], the first such Act in Britain was finally passed through the persistence of Glasgow city authorities. This allowed the formation of the [[City of Glasgow Police]], funded by taxation of local citizens, to prevent crime. This was quickly followed by the setting up of similar police forces in other towns.<ref>[http://www.scotia-news.com/issue5/ISSUE05a.htm Glasgow Police<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
* 1812: A committee examined the policing of [[London]], and made several suggestions on their findings to help evolve the existing state of affairs.
* 1814: The Peace Preservation Act creates the first organised police force in Ireland, becoming the [[Irish Constabulary]] in 1822, and was awarded the Royal prefix after putting down the [[Fenian Rising|Fenian Rising of 1867]].
* 1818: Another committee examined the policing of London.
* 1829: Based on the committees' findings, [[Home Secretary]] [[Robert Peel]] introduced the [[Metropolitan Police Act 1829]], prompting a rigorous and less discretionary approach to law enforcement.
* [[29 September]] [[1829]]<ref>http://www.met.police.uk/history/timeline1829-1849.htm</ref>: The [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]] was founded. It was depersonalised, [[Bureaucracy|bureaucratic]] and hierarchical, with the new Constables instructed to prevent [[crime]] and pursue offenders. However, in contrast to the military [[gendarmerie]] forces of continental [[Europe]], the British police, partly to counter public fears and objections concerning armed enforcers (as previously seen before due to soldiers being tasked to keep order), were clearly civilian and their equipment was initially limited to the [[Club (law enforcement)|Truncheon]]. Uniform was blue, resembling the navy rather than the red of the [[British Army|Army]], who had policed with firearms and a usually violent means which had long caused public consternation. A fear of spy systems and political control also kept 'plain clothes' and even detective work to a minimum. The force was independent of the [[Local government in the United Kingdom|local government]]; through its [[Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Commissioner]], it was responsible direct to the [[Home Office]]. The new constables were nicknamed 'peelers' or 'bobbies' after the Home Secretary, Robert Peel. The nickname 'bobbies' continues to this day, 'peelers' is more uncommon, although used liberally in Northern Ireland.
* 1831: [[Special Constable|Special Constables Act]] 1831 passed.
* 1835: [[Municipal Corporations Act 1835]] passed. Among other matters this required each [[borough]] in England and Wales to establish a watch committee, who had the duty of appointing constables "for the preserving of the peace". The jurisdiction of the borough constables extended to any place within seven miles of the borough.
* 1839: [[County Police Act 1839]] passed.
* 1839: First county police force created, in [[Wiltshire]].
* 1840: [[County Police Act 1840]] passed.
* 1842: Within the Metropolitan Police a [[Criminal Investigation Department|detective]] department was founded.
* 1856: [[County and Borough Police Act 1856]] made county and borough police forces compulsory in England and Wales and subject to central inspection. By then around thirty counties had voluntarily created police forces.
* 1857: The [[General Police Act (Scotland) 1857]] required each Scottish [[counties of Scotland|county]] and [[bourgh]] to establish a police force, either its own or by uniting with a neighbouring county, the latter was usually the case if the area in question was small and had little means of aquairing such manpower.
* 1860: By this year there were over 200 separate forces in [[England]] and [[Wales]].
* 1878: As a result of the 1877 [[Turf Fraud scandal]], the Metropolitan Police's Detective Department was reorganised and renamed the [[Criminal Investigation Department]] (CID) in 1878.
* 1914: [[Special Constable|Special Constables Act 1914]]. Allowed for the appointment of Special Constables during wartime, due to the fall in numbers of regular officers.
* 1914-1918, [[World War I]]: the police became unionised.
* 1918 and 1919: The [[British police strikes in 1918 and 1919|police went on strike]] over pay and working conditions, because of this the polices' right to strike and form a union was revoked.
* 1919: [[Police Act of 1919]] passed in response to the police striking. It criminalised the police [[trade union|union]], replacing it with the [[Police Federation of England and Wales]]. The act also guaranteed a pension for police; previously it had been discretionary. The fragmented nature of the police was resistant to change, and there were still over 200 separate police forces before [[World War II]]. During the War, resignations were not permitted except on grounds of ill-health.
* 1922: Following [[Partition of Ireland|partition]], the [[Royal Irish Constabulary]] is replaced by the [[Royal Ulster Constabulary]] in [[Northern Ireland]] and the [[Garda Síochána]] in the [[Irish Free State]].
* 1923: [[Special Constable|Special Constables Act 1923]] throughout the UK is passed.
* 1946: [[Police Act 1946]] passed. This abolished nearly all non-[[county borough]] police forces in England and Wales. This left 117 police forces.
* 1964: [[Police Act 1964]]. This created 49 larger forces in England and Wales, some covering two or more counties or large urban areas.
* 1984: [[Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984]] (PACE). Regulated the actions of the police in England and Wales, particularly in relations to arrest and searches/powers of entry. Also instituted the [[PACE Codes of Practice]]. PACE did not extend these matters to Scotland but dealt with other subjects there.
* 2002: [[Police Reform Act 2002]]. Introduced [[Police Community Support Officer]]s (PCSOs), investigating officers, detention escort officers in England and Wales (these are not Police Constables but have some of the powers of a constable).
* 2006: Major provisions of the [[Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005]] come into effect including the overhaul of powers of [[arrest]], institution of the [[Serious Organised Crime Agency]] and extension of powers available to [[PCSO]]s; these (other than SOCA) applying in England and Wales. The majority of the Act applies only to England and Wales with only a few sections applying to Scotland or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the [[Police, Public Order and Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2006]] comes into force.
==Accountability==
{{main|Police Authority}}
In [[England and Wales]] a [[Police Authority]], normally consisting of three [[magistrate]]s, nine local [[councillor]]s and five independent members, is responsible for overseeing each local force. They also have a duty under [[Law of England and Wales|law]] to ensure that their community gets [[best value]] from their police force.
In [[Northern Ireland]] the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]] is supervised by the [[Northern Ireland Policing Board]].
In [[Scotland]] each police force is overseen either by the [[Local government in Scotland|local authority]] (for [[Fife Constabulary]] and [[Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary]]) or by a joint board of the relevant authority for all other forces.
Two of the three special police forces in Great Britain, (the [[British Transport Police]] and the [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]]) had their own police authorities set up in 2004. These forces operate across national jurisdictions but their normal responsibility is to the activities they police, i.e. the railways and the civil nuclear industry.
[[Image:police.boat.at.poole.arp.jpg|thumb|right|Police harbour patrol boat in [[Poole Harbour]], [[Dorset]]]]
===Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary===
[[Her Majesty's Inspectorates of Constabulary]] (HMIC) are the official bodies responsible for the examination and assessment of police forces to ensure their requirements are met as intended.
There are two similarly-named organisations:
*'''Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary''' (HMIC) - this organisation is responsible to the [[Home Office]] for police forces in England and Wales. It also inspects, by invitation, various UK [[special police force]]s. Since 2004, HMIC has also had responsibility for examining [[HM Revenue and Customs]] and the [[Serious Organised Crime Agency]]. Inspection services have been provided on a non-statutory basis for the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]].
*'''Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland''' (commonly known as HMIC) - this organisation is responsible to the [[Scottish Government]] and examines Scotland's territorial police forces, the [[Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency]], the [[Scottish Criminal Record Office]], the [[Scottish Police College]] and the Scottish Police Information Strategy.
===Crown dependencies and overseas territories===
The [[Crown dependencies]] and [[British overseas territories]] have their own police forces, the majority of which utilise the British model. Because they are not part of the United Kingdom, they are not answerable to the British Government; instead they are organised by and are responsible to their own governments (an exception to this is the [[Sovereign Base Areas Police]] - because the SBAs existence is purely for the benefit of the British armed forces and do not have full overseas territory status, the SBA Police are responsible to the Ministry of Defence). However, because they are based on the British model of policing, these police forces conform to the standards set out by the British government, which includes voluntarily submitting themselves to inspection by the HMIC.
==Ranks==
{{main|Police ranks of the United Kingdom}}
The rank structure of United Kingdom police forces are identical up to the rank of [[Chief Superintendent]]. However, the higher ranks are distinct within [[London]]. The two [[territorial police force]]s in [[London]] ([[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan]] and [[City of London Police|City of London]]) have a series of [[Commander#British police rank|Commander]] and [[Police commissioner|Commissioner]] ranks as their top ranks whereas other UK police forces have [[Assistant Chief Constable|assistants]], [[Deputy Chief Constable|deputies]] and a [[Chief Constable]] as their top ranks; all [[Police commissioner|Commissioners]] and [[Chief Constable|Chief Constables]] are equal in rank to each other.
==Uniform and equipment==
[[Image:Police.car.1.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|right|A [[Devon and Cornwall Constabulary]] [[Ford Focus (International)|Ford Focus]], [[Ilfracombe]]]]
{{main|Uniforms and equipment of the British police|Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom}}
Uniforms, the issuing of [[firearms]], type of patrol cars and other equipment varies by force. Unlike police in most technologically adept other countries, the vast majority of British police officers do not carry firearms on standard patrol; they do however carry [[Club (law enforcement)|Extendable "Asp" or fixed Monadnock PR-24 batons]] and CS/PAVA spray. In most forces, [[CS gas|CS spray]] is now obsolete, being replaced by [[PAVA Incapacitant Spray]].
There are, however, exceptions. Every territorial force has a specialist [[Firearms Unit]]<ref name="waldren">{{cite book |title= Armed Police, The Police Use of Firearms since 1945 |last=Waldren |first=Michael J. |authorlink= |coauthors= |year= 2007 |publisher= Sutton |location= England |isbn= 0750946377 |pages= 224}}</ref> which maintain [[Armed Response Vehicle]]s to respond to firearms related emergency calls, while one territorial force (the [[Police Service of Northern Ireland]]) and two of the national, [[special police force]]s (the [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]] and the [[Ministry of Defence Police]]) are routinely armed.
The rare occurrences of UK Police carrying [[firearm]]s, will usually be at an [[airport]] or an armed incident. The [[Metropolitan Police Service]] (MPS) firearms unit is called [[CO19]] (formerly SO19), but every force in [[England]] operates an armed response unit. Metropolitan Police and City of London Police operate with three officers per Armed Response Vehicle (ARV). Each unit comprises a driver, a navigator, and an observer who gathers information about the incident and liaises with other units. Other police forces carry two [[Authorised Firearms Officer]]s instead of three. Armed Police carry a combination of weapons, ranging from [[Germany|German]] [[Heckler & Koch]] [[MP5]] carbines, Heckler & Koch MSG901 Sniper [[rifle]]s, Heckler & Koch Baton Guns (which fire [[baton round]]s) and [[Heckler & Koch G36]]Cs to a number of specialist weapons such as the [[Remington]] pump-action [[shotgun]].
==Height==
In the 19th and early 20th centuries most forces required their recruits to be at least 5 feet 10 [[inch]]es (178 cm) in height. By 1960 many forces had reduced this to 5 feet 8 inches ({{nowrap|173 cm}}), and 5 feet 4 inches ({{nowrap|163 cm}}) for women. Many senior officers deplored this, believing that height was a vital requirement for a uniformed constable.<ref>Royal Commission on the Police, ''Interim Report'', 1960</ref> Some forces retained the height standard at 5 feet 10 inches ({{nowrap|178 cm}}) or 5 feet 9 inches ({{nowrap|175 cm}}) until the early 1990s, when the height standard was gradually removed. No British force now requires its recruits to be of any minimum height.
==Organisation of police stations==
Police stations may have:
* Police Officers/[[Sergeant]]s and [[Inspector]]s who respond to [[999 (emergency telephone number)|999]] calls. Also known as Response or Support Officers.
* Police Officers/Sergeants and Inspectors who work alongside the community, dealing with the 'lower' level of crime, (i.e. they do not respond to [[999 (emergency telephone number)|999]] calls. Also known as Beat or Neighborhood Officers)
* Police Community Support Officers ([[PCSO]]s) who perform foot patrols in the community. PSCOs hold limited police powers, linked with the local community such as low level crime, and youth disorder. They are not police constables and therefore have contracts of employment, being employed 'police staff' rather than [[Crown|The Crown]] servants. In some forces, they have replaced [[Traffic Warden]]s and have taken on their traffic duties.
* [[Traffic Warden]]s (TWs) who enforce traffic regulations, including on-street parking unless this has been taken over by the local authority under the Road Traffic Act 1991 (see [[Decriminalised Parking Enforcement]]).
* Crime Reduction Officers who attend public functions, visiting households with advice and handing out items such as rape alarms
* [[Firearms Enquiries Officer]] who maintains firearms certificates etc.
* Station Reception Officers (SROs) or Station enquiry officers (SEOs) who are in charge of the front desk and do administration.
* Fingerprinting/Identification Officers who deal with Criminal Identities for Archives.
* In some police stations, [[Police Cadets|police cadets]] may be present helping regular police officers or police staff.
* Special Police [[Constable]]s/Sergeants/Inspectors/[[Chief Inspector]]s will be present. A Special Police Constable / Officer is a part-time, trained volunteer police officer with full police powers, including powers of arrest.
* [[Criminal Investigation Department]] offices (CID) to investigate major crime.
* [[Specialist Investigation Department]], such as [[Fraud Squad]], Hi-Tech Crime Unit (HTCU), Public Protection Unit (PPU).
* Smaller stations usually have a number of [[Detective]] Constables (DCs) headed by a Detective Sergeant (DS), or in larger stations usually a large number of DCs, DSs and Detective Inspectors (DIs), with the Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) in charge of the department.
* Larger stations have custody facilities where an arrested offender is held until charged or released.
* Stations have [[kitchen]]s so the officers can have hot [[meal]]s, paperwork rooms and [[restroom]]s.
* If the police station is central in an area, it may have [[Authorised Firearms Officer]]s (AFO's) who are based there.
==Issues==
===Controversial shootings===
The policy under which British police use firearms has resulted in controversy.
{{Main|Police use of firearms in the United Kingdom#Controversial shootings}}
===Deaths in police custody===
{{Main|Controversial Deaths in UK Police Custody}}
In 1997/98, 69 people died in police custody or following contact with the police across England and Wales; 26 resulted from deliberate self harm. [http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/news-and-publications/publication/operational-policing/deaths1998.pdf?view=Binary]
There are two defined categories of death in custody issued by the Home Office: [http://www.mpa.gov.uk/about/publications/factsheets/deaths-in-custody.htm]
Category A: This category also encompasses deaths of those under arrest who are held in temporary police accommodation or have been taken to hospital following arrest. It also includes those who die, following arrest, whilst in a police vehicle.
* s/he has been taken to a police station after being arrested for an offence, or
* s/he is arrested at a police station after attending voluntarily at the station or accompanying a Constable to it, and is detained there or is detained elsewhere in the charge of a constable, except that a person who is at a court after being charged is not in police detention for those purposes.
Category B: Where the deceased was otherwise in the hands of the police or death resulted from the actions of a police officer in the purported execution of his duty.
* when suspects are being interviewed by the police but have not been detained;
* when persons are actively attempting to evade arrest;
* when persons are stopped and searched or questioned by the police; and
* when persons are in police vehicles (other than whilst in police detention).
===Recent issues===
Evidence of corruption in the 1970s, serious urban [[riot]]s and the police role in controlling industrial disorder in the 1980s, and the changing nature of police procedure made police accountability and control a major [[political football]] from the 1990s onwards.
The [[UK miners' strike (1984-1985)|coal miners' strike]] (1984–1985) saw thousands of police from various forces deployed against miners, frequently resulting in violent confrontation.
The presence of [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]] in the police caused disquiet in the early 1990s.
The [[Fettesgate]] scandal in the early 1990s concerned the theft (and allegedly the subsequent recovery) of sensitive documents from the [[Edinburgh]] headquarters of [[Lothian and Borders Police]]. Nobody has ever been charged, and, at least publicly, no officer was disciplined.
Despite attempts to end [[racism]] and what the [[Macpherson Report]] described as "[[institutionalised racism]]" in the police since the 1993 [[murder]] of [[Stephen Lawrence]], there have been ongoing problems. At the same time, some commentators and academics have claimed that [[political correctness]] and excessive sensitivity to issues of race and class have reduced the effectiveness of the police force, not least for people living in deprived areas or members of minority groups themselves.
In 2003, ten police officers from [[Greater Manchester Police]], [[North Wales Police]] and [[Cheshire Constabulary]] were forced to resign after a [[BBC]] documentary, "The Secret Policeman", shown on [[21 October]], revealed racism among recruits at [[Bruche Police National Training Centre]] at [[Warrington]]. On [[4 March]] [[2005]] the [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3210614.stm BBC] noted that minor disciplinary action would be taken against twelve other officers (eleven from Greater Manchester Police and one from [[Lancashire Constabulary]]) in connection with the programme, but that they would not lose their jobs. In November 2003, allegations were made that some police officers were members of the [[far-right]] [[British National Party]].
The perceived absence of a visible police presence on the streets also frequently causes concern. This is partially being addressed by the introduction of uniformed [[Police Community Support Officer]]s (PCSOs), following the passing of the [[Police Reform Act 2002]], although some have criticised these as for being a cheap alternative to fully-trained police officers. [http://www.policereform.gov.uk/reformact/index.html]
At the beginning of 2005 it was announced that the [[Police Information Technology Organisation]] (PITO) had signed an eight-year £122 m contract to introduce [[biometric]] identification technology. [http://www.computerweekly.com/articles/article.asp?liArticleID=135998&liArticleTypeID=1&liCategoryID=2&liChannelID=22&liFlavourID=1&sSearch=&nPage=1] PITO are also planning to use [[Closed-circuit television|CCTV]] [[facial recognition system]]s to identify known suspects; a future link to the proposed [[National Identity Register]] has been suggested by some. [http://www.computerweekly.com/articles/article.asp?liArticleID=136743&liArticleTypeID=1&liCategoryID=2&liChannelID=22&liFlavourID=1&sSearch=&nPage=1]
A number of recent cases in which the police have intervened in matters of [[free speech]] have also given rise to allegations that the police are in danger of becoming [[thought police]]. In December 2005, author [[Lynette Burrows]] was interviewed by police after expressing her opinion on [[BBC Radio 5 Live]] that [[homosexual]]s should not be allowed to adopt children. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005/12/10/ngay10.xml] The following month, Sir [[Iqbal Sacranie]] was investigated by police for stating the [[Islam]]ic view that homosexuality is a sin. [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/01/12/nsacr12.xml]
Recent undercover TV programmes [[BBC]]'s The Secret Policeman [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/3210614.stm] and [[Channel 4]] [[Dispatches]] programme Undercover Copper [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/4948554.stm] raised questions of standards within UK police forces.
===Fixed Threat Assessment Centre===
Nicknamed 'Blair's Secret Stalker Squad' http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=457934&in_page_id=1770&ct=5 was set up in 2006 to identify and address those individuals considered to pose a threat to VIP's or the Royals. On 25 June 2007 Hansard, Secretary of State for the Home Department Mr McNulty describes speaks of the FTAC:
''''The Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC) was established in order to better protect the public and vulnerable individuals in response to evidence that a significant proportion of people who engage in bizarre communications or contact with prominent people in public life are severely and acutely mentally ill and urgently need professional help. A small but significant number of such individuals can pose a risk to the public, the prominent person, and themselves, particularly in environments where there are armed police officers. The Home Office, the Department of Health and the Metropolitan Police Service agreed to establish a joint police/mental health unit, on a pilot basis, to assess and manage the risk posed by such individuals. Where appropriate, FTAC will introduce (or reintroduce) the individuals into existing community mental health care through established pathways. If offences are disclosed, and the circumstances warrant such intervention, consideration will also be given to a criminal investigation.''
''Since its creation in October 2006, FTAC has dealt with 168 cases. FTAC does not detain people in psychiatric hospitals. When it encounters an individual in need of mental health care it alerts their general practitioners and psychiatrists, who then provide appropriate help under existing legislation. FTAC may make use of police powers under section 136 of the Mental Health Act 1983 to take a person who appears to be suffering from mental disorder, and in immediate need of care or control, to a place of safety. When people are removed to hospital under section 136, they are examined by a registered medical practitioner and interviewed by an approved social worker, not associated with FTAC, in order to make any necessary arrangements for their treatment or care.''http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070625/text/70625w0068.htm
===Censorship===
The image on the front cover of [[Filth (novel)|Filth]] by Scottish writer [[Irvine Welsh]] caused outrage when released and the Southampton police seized promotional material they deemed [[obscene]] and offensive to the police <ref>{{cite web
| date = 1998-08-13
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/150129.stm
| title = Police seize 'offensive' pig posters
| publisher = [[BBC]]
| accessdate = 2006-06-16
}}</ref>.
===Proposed mergers for England and Wales===
In 1981, [[James Anderton]], the then Chief Constable of [[Greater Manchester Police]] called for 10 regional police forces for England and Wales, one for each of the regions which would be adopted as [[regions of England|Government Office Regions]] in England, and Wales.<ref>''Plea for 10 regional police forces''. The Times. March 19, 1981.</ref>
A 2004 proposal by the [[Police Superintendents Association]] for the creation of a single national police force, similar to [[Garda Síochána|Garda Síochána na hÉireann]] was rejected by the [[Association of Chief Police Officers]], and the government has thus far agreed.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3566448.stm Senior police back national force]. BBC News. 15 August 2004.</ref>
In September 2005, in a report<ref>[http://inspectorates.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/inspect_reports1/thematic-inspections/closinggap05.pdf ''Closing the Gap'']</ref> delivered to the then [[Home Secretary]], [[Charles Clarke]], [[HM Inspectorate of Constabulary]] suggested that the forty-three force structure in England and Wales was "no longer fit for purpose" and smaller forces should be forcibly merged. As of 2005, nineteen forces had fewer than 2,000 regular officers, and the report suggested that forces with 4,000 or more officers performed better and could deliver cost savings.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4253138.stm Police forces 'no longer working']. BBC News. 16 September 2005.</ref> Forces were asked to produce proposals for mergers, within [[Wales]] and the English [[regions of England|Government Office Regions]]. Nearly all the existing forces were under the 4,000 limit, with only the [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]], [[Greater Manchester Police]], [[Merseyside Police]], [[Northumbria Police]], [[Thames Valley Police]], [[West Midlands Police]] and [[West Yorkshire Police]] over the limit - see [[List of police forces in England and Wales by officers]] for a full list.
Draft options were announced in November 2005.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4426106.stm Plan to cut police forces to 12]. BBC News. 10 November 2005.</ref> The Home Office offered money to police authorities that decided to voluntarily merge ahead of schedule, and was consequently accused of attempting to "bribe" unwilling Chief Constables into compliance.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4541012.stm Clarke attacked on police reform]. BBC News. 19 December 2005.</ref> The proposals were debated in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]] on [[December 19]] [[2005]].<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051219/debtext/51219-10.htm#51219-10_head0 Hansard, 19 December 2005, Column 1581]</ref> Most Chief Constables and police authorities did not back the measure,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4553902.stm Police 'reject' force merger plan]. BBC News. 22 December 2005.</ref> and some suggested that cross-regional mergers would make more sense (for example, [[Hampshire Constabulary]] in the South East suggested it could merge with [[Dorset Police]] in the South West, whilst there was also a suggestion of [[North Wales Police]] increasing co-operation with [[Cheshire Police]])<ref>[http://newswww.bbc.net.uk/1/hi/wales/4387180.stm Merger 'to make policing worse']. BBC News. 28 October 2005.</ref>
On [[February 6]], [[2006]], preferred options for several regions were announced by the Home Secretary in a [[Written Ministerial Statement]],<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060206/wmstext/60206m02.htm#60206m02.html_spmin1 Hansard, 6 February 2006, Column 39WS]</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4685952.stm Police mergers outlined by Clarke]. BBC News. 6 February 2006.</ref> and set a deadline of [[February 24]] for forces to agree to the mergers. By this dead-line the only merger to have the agreement of all forces involved was the Cumbria/Lancashire merger. Cheshire was opposed to a merger with Merseyside, and West Mercia and Cleveland were holdouts in their regions, whilst all the Welsh forces opposed the creation of a single Welsh force.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4748594.stm Setback for police merger plans]. BBC News. 24 February 2006.</ref> The Home Secretary had the power to order the Cumbria/Lancashire merger to proceed by statutory instrument under the [[Police Act 1996]], and also to force through the contested mergers, given a four-month consultation period. In a Written Statement made on [[March 3]], [[2006]],<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060303/wmstext/60303m02.htm#60303m02.html_sbhd0 Hansard, 3 March 2006, Column 44WS]</ref> he announced that the Lancashire/Cumbria merger could be ordered in May, and that the consultation period on the others was starting, and would end on [[July 2]], [[2006]]. The new forces would come into being on [[April 1]], [[2007]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4771812.stm Police merger plans to go ahead]. BBC News. 3 March 2006.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/4771438.stm Wales police merger to go ahead]. BBC News. 4 March 2006.</ref>
A second batch of merger proposals were made on [[March 20]], [[2006]], with the Eastern, East Midlands and South East regions covered. A deadline of [[April 7]] [[2006]] was set for responses, after which it was expected that the process above would be followed.<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060320/wmstext/60320m02.htm#60320m02.html_spmin1 Hansard, 20 March 2006, Column 6WS]</ref><ref>[http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/crime/article352456.ece Police forces set to be slashed to 24]. The Independent. 20 March 2006.</ref><ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4825524.stm Police forces 'to be cut to 24']. BBC News. 20 March 2006.</ref> The following day, the Home Secretary proposed a merger of all four forces in the [[Yorkshire and the Humber]] region.<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060321/wmstext/60321m01.htm#60321m01.html_sbhd4 Hansard, 21 March 2006, Column 15WS]</ref> The consultation period on this second batch of mergers started on [[April 11]] [[2006]], and would have finished on [[August 11]], with a target of [[April 1]], [[2008]] for the mergers coming into effect.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4899726.stm Police merger plan given go-ahead]. BBC News. 11 April 2006</ref>
====Greater London====
Upon the publication of the proposals, the Greater London area was not included. This was due to two separate reviews of policing in the capital - the first was a review by the Department of Transport into the future role and function of the British Transport Police. The second was a review by the Attorney-General into national measures for combating fraud (the City of London Police is one of the major organisations for combating economic crime).<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm060418/text/60418w84.htm Hansard 18 April 2006, Col 328W]</ref> Both the [[Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis|Metropolitan Police Commissioner]], [[Sir Ian Blair]], and the [[Mayor of London|Mayor]], [[Ken Livingstone]], stated that they would like to see a single police force in London, with the [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]] absorbing the [[City of London Police]] and the functions of the [[British Transport Police]] in London.<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,1322295,00.html Battle to merge London's Police]. The Guardian. 8 October 2004.</ref> However, this met with criticism from several areas; the House of Commons Transport Select Committee severely criticised the idea of the Metropolitan Police taking over policing of the rail network in a report published on [[16 May]] [[2006]],<ref>[http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmselect/cmtran/1070/1070i.pdf Future of the British Transport Police] HoC Transport Committee. 16 May 2006 </ref> while the [[City of London Corporation]] and several major financial institutions in [[City of London|The City]] made public their opposition to the City Police merging with the Met.<ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000085&sid=aH4c52H0WYr0&refer=europe London City Police Tap Bankers to Help Fight Takeover] Bloomberg 20 March 2006</ref> In a statement on [[20 July]] [[2006]], the Transport Secretary announced that there would be no structural or operational changes to the British Transport Police, effectively ruling out any merger<ref>[http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_612143.hcsp Review of the British Transport Police] DfT, 20 July 2006</ref> The interim report by the Attorney General's fraud review recognised the role taken by the City Police as the lead force in London and the South-East for tackling fraud, and made a recommendation that, should a national lead force be required, the City Police, with its expertise, would be an ideal candidate to take this role.<ref>[http://www.lslo.gov.uk/pdf/Interim_Fraud_Report_03_06.pdf Interim Fraud Review] LSLO, January 2006</ref> This view was confirmed on the publication of the final report, which recommended that the City of London Police's Fraud Squad should be the national lead force in combatting fraud, to "act as a centre of excellence, disseminate best practice, give advice on complex inquiries in other regions, and assist with or direct the most complex of such investigations"<ref>[http://www.lslo.gov.uk/pressreleases/Final_Fraud_Review_release_24_07_06.doc Final fraud Review Report Published] LSLO, July 2006</ref>
====Abandonment====
On [[20 June]] [[2006]] the new Home Secretary, [[John Reid (UK politician)|John Reid]], announced that the contested mergers would be delayed for further discussion,<ref>[http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/police-force-mergers Home Secretary delays police force mergers], Home Office, 20 June 2006</ref> and no mergers would be ordered before Parliament's summer recess on [[25 July]] other than the agreed Lancashire/Cumbria one.
On [[11 July]] [[2006]], it then emerged that the entire proposal for police mergers might be ended, following the decision by the only two forces to have agreed to amalgamation, Cumbria and Lancashire, not to proceed.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/5166992.stm Forces back out of merger plans] BBC News 10 July 2006</ref> The announcement of this was followed by the head of the [[ACPO]] stating that "The necessary financial support has not materialised and mergers, including voluntary ones, will not take place".<ref>[http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2264315,00.html Merger of police forces is scrapped]. The Times. 11 July 2006.</ref> On [[12 July]] [[2006]], the Home Office confirmed that the mergers were to be abandoned, with the entire proposal taken back for consultation<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/5172136.stm Police mergers still on agenda]. BBC News 12 July 2006</ref>
====Other police forces====
Policing in Scotland and Northern Ireland does not come under the purview of the Home Office, and so would have remained unaffected by these proposals. Likewise, the major non-territorial forces ([[British Transport Police]], [[Civil Nuclear Constabulary]], [[Ministry of Defence Police]]) are responsible to other government departments, and so would not have been affected by this review.
===List of proposed mergers===
Note: these mergers have all been suspended in the long term while a further review and consultation into policing in England and Wales takes place
{| class="wikitable"
!Region
!Proposed force
|-
|rowspan=2|[[East of England|Eastern]]
|Merge [[Bedfordshire Police]], [[Essex Police]] and [[Hertfordshire Constabulary]]
|-
|Merge [[Cambridgeshire Constabulary]], [[Norfolk Constabulary]] and [[Suffolk Constabulary]]
|-
|[[East Midlands]]
|Merge [[Derbyshire Constabulary]], [[Leicestershire Constabulary]], [[Lincolnshire Police]], [[Northamptonshire Police]] and [[Nottinghamshire Police]]
|-
|[[Greater London|London]]
|London not included in the review of policing, so [[City of London Police]] and [[Metropolitan Police Service|Metropolitan Police]] unaffected.
|-
|[[North East England|North-East]]
|Merge [[Cleveland Police]], [[Durham Constabulary]] and [[Northumbria Police]]
|-
|rowspan=3|[[North West England|North-West]]
|Merge [[Cumbria Constabulary]] and [[Lancashire Constabulary]]
|-
|Merge [[Cheshire Constabulary]] and [[Merseyside Police]]
|-
|[[Greater Manchester Police]] unchanged
|-
|rowspan=4|[[South East England|South-East]]
|[[Kent Police]] unchanged
|-
|Merge [[Surrey Police]] and [[Sussex Police]]
|-
|[[Hampshire Constabulary]] unchanged
|-
|[[Thames Valley Police]] unchanged
|-
|rowspan=2|[[South West England|South-West]]<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/uk_politics/4426106.stm Plan to cut police forces to 12]. BBC News. 10 November 2005.</ref>
|Option 1: Merge [[Avon and Somerset Constabulary]], [[Devon and Cornwall Constabulary]], [[Gloucestershire Constabulary]], [[Dorset Police]] and [[Wiltshire Constabulary]]
|-
|Option 2: Merge Avon and Somerset Constabulary, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Wiltshire Constabulary and Dorset Police<br />Devon and Cornwall Constabulary unchanged
|-
|[[Wales]]
|Merge [[Dyfed-Powys Police]], [[Gwent Police]], [[North Wales Police]] and [[South Wales Police]]
|-
|[[West Midlands (region)|West Midlands]]
|Merge [[Staffordshire Police]], [[Warwickshire Police]], [[West Mercia Constabulary]], [[West Midlands Police]]
|-
|[[Yorkshire and Humberside]]
|Merge [[Humberside Police]], [[North Yorkshire Police]], [[South Yorkshire Police]], [[West Yorkshire Police]]
|}
===Border and Immigration Agency/UK Border Agency===
As part of the wide ranging review of the Home Office, the then Home Secretary, [[John Reid (UK politician)|John Reid]], announced in July 2006 that all British immigration officers would be uniformed. On April 1 2007, the [[Border and Immigration Agency]] (BIA) was created and commenced operation. However, there were no police officers in the Agency, a matter that attracted considerable criticism when the Agency was established - agency officers do not have powers of arrest. Further powers for designated officers within the Agency, including powers of detention pending the arrival of a police officer, were introduced by the UK Borders Act 2007.<ref>[http://www.statutelaw.gov.uk/content.aspx?LegType=All+Legislation&title=uk+borders&parentActiveTextDocId=3419168&ActiveTextDocId=3419168&filesize=198579]</ref>
The Government has effectively admitted the shortcomings of the Agency by making a number fundamental changes within a year of its commencement. On 1st April 2008 the BIA became the [[UK Border Agency]] following a merger with [[UKvisas]], the [[port of entry]] functions of [[HM Revenue and Customs]]. The [[Home Secretary]], Jacqui Smith, announced that the UK Border Agency (UKBA) ''"...will bring together the work of the Border and Immigration Agency, UK Visas and parts of [[HM Revenue and Customs]] at the border, '' [and] ''will work closely with the police and other law enforcement agencies to improve border controls and security."'' <ref>{{cite web | title = Border Policing Strengthened | publisher = Home Office Press Office | date = [[11 March]] [[2008]]| url = http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/border-policing-strengthened | accessdate = [[29 June]] [[2008]]}}</ref>
Within months of this, the [[Home Secretary]] revealed (in a 16-page response to a report by [[Alex Carlile, Baron Carlile of Berriew|Lord Carlile]], the independent reviewer of [[Terrorism Act 2006|UK terrorism legislation]]) that the Home Office will issue a [[Green Paper]] proposing to take forward proposals by the Association of Chief Police Officers (England & Wales) for the establishment of a new 3,000-strong national border police force to work alongside the Agency. <ref>{{cite news | title = Britain to get 3,000-strong border force to fight terrorism and illegal immigration| publisher = Daily Telegraph | date = [[23 June]] [[2008]]| url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/majornews/2182136/Britain-to-get-3,000-strong-border-force-to-fight-terrorism-and-illegal-immigration.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | title = Ministers float border force plan | publisher = BBC News | date = [[23 June]] [[2008]]| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/7469619.stm}}</ref>
===National Crime Force===
In April 2007, the [[Leader of the Opposition (United Kingdom)|Leader of the Opposition]], [[David Cameron]] announced the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party's]] proposals for reform of policing. These included:
* Replacing police authorities with directly elected '''police commissioners'''. These individuals would have control over budgets and target setting, with the Chief Constable retaining operational control of policing.
* Giving the public the right to discuss local policing issues with their local police officers at regular meetings.
In addition, the proposals made clear that on the issue of serious crime the 43 police forces in England and Wales would either have to have greater cooperation, or that the serious crime elements of their function would be invested in a [[National Serious Crime Force]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6520855.stm Tories unveil police reform plan] BBC News, April 3rd 2007</ref>
===Police Pay===
The decision by the [[Home Secretary]] to refuse to implement the recommendation of the Police Arbitration Tribunal of a 2.5% increase in pay has caused widespread anger, especially as this decision stood in sharp contrast to the decision of the [[Scottish Government]] to fully implement the award for police officers in [[Scotland]] by backdating it to 1 September 2007.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7203839.stm Police in protest rally over pay] BBC January 24 2008</ref> By implementing the award with effect from 1 December 2007 for officers in England and Wales, the [[Home Secretary]] effectively reduced it to 1.9%, claiming that this was necessary in order to control inflation, despite the fact that [[Police authority|police authorities]] had already made provision for the full 2.5% increase from their revenue budgets.
===Mandatory drug tests===
Scotland's police forces are to introduce mandatory drugs tests in an attempt to stamp out substance abuse by officers.<ref>[http://www.theherald.co.uk/news/news/display.var.2193589.0.Mandatory_drugs_testing_for_Scotlands_police_forces.php Mandatory drugs testing for Scotland's police forces] The Herald, April 13, 2008</ref> The zero-tolerance policy will bring Scotland's police into line with the Army and other agencies and companies, as concerns grow over the number of police officers using recreational drugs. The [[Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland]] is behind the roll out of the scheme.
==Overseas police forces in the UK==
There are certain instances where police forces of other nations operate in a limited degree in the [[United Kingdom]]:
*The ''Police aux Frontières'' or PAF (French Border Police), a division of the ''[[French National Police|Police Nationale]]'', is permitted to operate in regard to [[Eurostar]] rail services through the [[Channel Tunnel]]. This includes on [[Eurostar]] trains to London, within the international terminal at [[St Pancras International|St Pancras Station]], at Ebbsfleet and Ashford International railway stations, and at the Cheriton Parc Le Shuttle terminal (alongside [[Douane|French Customs]] officials). The PAF also operate at Dover Ferry terminals. This arrangement is reciprocated to the [[British Transport Police]], [[UK Border Agency]], and UK Customs Officers on Paris bound trains and within the terminal at [[Gare du Nord|Paris Gare du Nord]], Coquelles (Le Shuttle), [[Gare de Lille-Europe]], [[Brussels-South railway station|Bruxelles-Midi/Brussel-Zuid]] and the Calais, Dunkerque, and Boulogne ferry terminals.<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9E00E1DF1038F937A35756C0A9679C8B63 Cross-channel Policing] New York Times, 4 May 2001.</ref> The French police officers are not permitted to carry their firearms in the London Terminal; the firearms must be left on the train.
*''[[Garda Síochána|An Garda Síochána na hÉireann]]'' (The Irish Police), under a recent agreement between the United Kingdom and the [[Republic of Ireland]], have the right, alongside the [[Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland]], to carry out inspections of the [[Sellafield|Sellafield nuclear facility]] in [[Cumbria]].<ref>[http://www.guardian.co.uk/nuclear/article/0,,1786088,00.html Irish Sellafield appeal ruled illegal] The Guardian, 30 May 2006</ref>
*In 2006 a small number of officers from the ''[[Policja]]'' (Polish Police) were seconded to the [[North Wales Police]] to assist with the supervision of foreign (largely eastern European) truck traffic largely on [[European route E22]] (the [[A55 road]]).<ref>[http://www.tispol.org/news/articles/poland2006/ TISPOL - Crossing Borders to Save Lives] TISPOL</ref> The Chief Constable of North Wales has publicly stated (November 2006) that he is considering directly recruiting a small number of officers from Poland to assist with policing the substantial population of Polish people that has migrated to his area since Poland's accession to the EU in 2004.<ref>[http://www.north-wales.police.uk/en/blogs/viewblog.asp?UID=1&CID=110 North Wales Police Chief Constable's Blog, 24 November 2006]</ref>
*[[Military Police]] of forces present in the UK within the terms of the [[Visiting Forces Act 1952]] are permitted to travel to/from relevant premises in uniform and their (usually distinctive) vehicles will occasionally be seen. Their powers (including the carrying of firearms) are generally limited by that and other legislation to those necessary for the performance of duties related to their own forces and to those possessed by the General Public.
==See also==
*[[Basic Command Unit]]
*[[Centrex (Central Police Training and Development Authority (CPTDA))]]
*[[Europol]] - European Police Office
*[[Forensic Science Service]]
*[[Independent Police Complaints Commission]]
*[[Interpol]]
*[[LGC Forensics]] - Laboratory of the Government Chemist
*[[List of police forces in the United Kingdom]]
*[[National Black Police Association]]
*[[Panda car]]
*[[Police Intelligence]]
*[[Police Staff College, Bramshill]]
*[[Police vehicles in the United Kingdom]]
*[[Road crime unit]]
*[[Road Policing Unit]]
*[[Scotland Yard]]
*[[Serious Organised Crime Agency]]
*[[Service Police]]
*[[Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency]]
*[[Special Constable]]s
*[[UK police ranks]]
===Databases===
*[[British national identity card|National identity card database]]
*[[HOLMES2|HOLMES]]
*[[Police National Computer]]
*[[Violent and Sex Offender Register]]
*[[UK National DNA Database]]
*[[Service Police Crime Bureau]]
==References==
{{reflist|2}}
==External links==
{{commonscat|Police Forces of the United Kingdom}}
*[http://www.police.uk/ UK Police service portal]
*[http://www.tulliallan.police.uk Scottish Police College]
*[http://www.apa.police.uk/ Association of Police Authorities (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)]
*[http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/hmic/hmic.htm HM Inspectorate of Constabulary]
*[http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/police-reform/ Government site on police reform]
*[http://www.cps.gov.uk/ Crown Prosecution Service]
*[http://www.sfo.gov.uk/ Serious Fraud Office]
*[http://www.mi5.gov.uk/ Security Service - MI5]
*[http://www.soca.gov.uk Serious Organised Crime Agency]
*[http://www.scdea.police.uk/ Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency]
*[http://www.octf.gov.uk/ Northern Ireland Organised Crime Taskforce]
==National Police Resources==
* [http://www.nwcu.police.uk/ National Wildlife Crime Unit]
* [http://www.ukhtc.org/ UK Human Trafficking Centre]
* [http://npia.police.uk National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA)]
* [http://www.nactso.gov.uk/ The National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO)]
* [http://www.cpni.gov.uk/default.aspx Centre for the Protection of National Infastructure]
* [http://www.netcu.org.uk/default.jsp The National Extremism Tactical Coordination Unit (NETCU)]
* [http://www.missingpersons.police.uk/ UK Police National Missing Persons Bureau]
* [http://www.met.police.uk/mobilephone/ National Mobile Phone Crime Unit]
* [http://www.dcpcu.org.uk/ Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit]
* [http://www.forensic.gov.uk/ Forensic Science Service]
* [http://www.forensic-alliance.com/ LGC Forensics - Laboratory of the Government Chemist]
* [http://www.truckpol.com/ Truckpol]
=== Staff Associations ===
*[http://www.nationalbpa.com/ National Black Police Association]
*[http://www.scottish.police.uk/main/acpos/acpos.htm Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland]
*[http://www.acpo.police.uk Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland]
*[http://www.acpo.police.uk/policies.asp Police guidelines (ACPO)]
*[http://www.polfed.org Police Federation of England and Wales]
*[http://www.spf.org.uk Scottish Police Federation]
*[http://www.policefed-ni.org.uk Police Federation for Northern Ireland]
=== Complaints against police ===
*[http://www.ipcc.gov.uk/ Independent Police Complaints Commission (England and Wales)]
*[http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/Police/19354/18482 Complaints Against the police (Scotland)]
*[http://www.policeombudsman.org Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland]
'''Non-official and Independent Sites'''
*[http://www.policeoracle.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=48&PN=1 British police slang and acronyms]
*[http://www.policeoracle.com UK Police news & information portal]
{{Law enforcement agencies of the United Kingdom2}}
{{Europe topic|Law enforcement in}}
[[Category:Law enforcement in the United Kingdom| ]]
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