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Independent policing review urged Policing 'major rethink needed'
(9 minutes later)
A fundamental and independent review of the long-term direction of policing is needed, says the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.A fundamental and independent review of the long-term direction of policing is needed, says the president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.
Ken Jones will tell the Acpo conference in Manchester the world has changed - and police duties with it - since the last such appraisal 50 years ago.Ken Jones will tell the Acpo conference in Manchester the world has changed - and police duties with it - since the last such appraisal 50 years ago.
He will call for an "apolitical" commission to establish a consensus on the nature and purpose of the service.He will call for an "apolitical" commission to establish a consensus on the nature and purpose of the service.
Prime Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown is also due to address delegates.Prime Minister-in-waiting Gordon Brown is also due to address delegates.
In his first major speech on law and order since being confirmed as the next prime minister, the chancellor will talk about the police as the "face of law and order" as well as discussing their role in tackling terrorism.In his first major speech on law and order since being confirmed as the next prime minister, the chancellor will talk about the police as the "face of law and order" as well as discussing their role in tackling terrorism.
'Mission stretch''Mission stretch'
BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said senior officers believed the police service was at a crossroads with a long period of investment ending and officer numbers beginning to fall.BBC home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said senior officers believed the police service was at a crossroads with a long period of investment ending and officer numbers beginning to fall.
At the same time, the duties and responsibilities of the police appeared to be growing more demanding.At the same time, the duties and responsibilities of the police appeared to be growing more demanding.
This represents "mission stretch", Mr Jones will tell the conference.This represents "mission stretch", Mr Jones will tell the conference.
He wants a commission of the "great and the good" to consider the way forward for policing.He wants a commission of the "great and the good" to consider the way forward for policing.
We do need to recognise the globalisation of capital and markets, the mass movement of people, the dawning of the information age Ken Jones, AcpoWe do need to recognise the globalisation of capital and markets, the mass movement of people, the dawning of the information age Ken Jones, Acpo
Speaking ahead of the event he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme so much had changed in recent decades that the current organisation and structure of the police ought to be questioned. The last such review, in the early 1960s, led to the tripartite system of police governance and accountability, involving the home secretary, police authorities and forces.
Speaking ahead of the event Mr Jones told BBC Radio 4's Today programme so much had changed in recent decades that the current organisation and structure of the police ought to be questioned.
"But it needs to go deeper than that, it needs to look at the role and purpose of policing."But it needs to go deeper than that, it needs to look at the role and purpose of policing.
"We are being asked to do more and more things, which we are taking on willingly, but the fact is that we can't do everything.""We are being asked to do more and more things, which we are taking on willingly, but the fact is that we can't do everything."
For example, he said there was "right and proper" investment in neighbourhood policing but at the same time police were being "pulled in the other direction" with increasing roles in countering organised crime and terrorism.For example, he said there was "right and proper" investment in neighbourhood policing but at the same time police were being "pulled in the other direction" with increasing roles in countering organised crime and terrorism.
"We do need to recognise the globalisation of capital and markets, the mass movement of people, the dawning of the information age - all these things I think present a challenge to the way we are currently organised.""We do need to recognise the globalisation of capital and markets, the mass movement of people, the dawning of the information age - all these things I think present a challenge to the way we are currently organised."
He said while the government of the day clearly needed to have its say, politics should be "taken out of the equation" for the purposes of the review.He said while the government of the day clearly needed to have its say, politics should be "taken out of the equation" for the purposes of the review.
That would enable it to have broader support and survive long-term, he said.That would enable it to have broader support and survive long-term, he said.
The last such review, in the early 1960s, led to the tripartite system of police governance and accountability, involving the home secretary, police authorities and forces. Mr Jones said he was not calling for a reinstatement of plans to merge some police forces, which faced strong opposition.
The Home Office proposals were all but abandoned last year after the only two forces to be actively seeking a merger said it would not be possible on cost grounds.