At the beginning of the year we had a constructive discussion here about the future of Scotland's police. Some excellent points were made and the majority view was that policing primarily had to be local; the number of forces were secondary.
All of Scotland's 32 local authorities are against the move and they want to retain the present eight forces. The Herald is reporting the concerns of a former local government head, Sir Charles Gray, who described the move as potentially "quite dangerous".
...“On one occasion the possibility of a single force was raised. I have never forgotten the contribution by a senior officer who would go on to serve with considerable distinction.
“He said very firmly, it should not be considered. You could have a rogue chief with a few well-placed deputies in charge of what could become, to all intents and purposes, a personal army and a police state...
Sir Charles' remarks reminded me of a link The Police... Are they a Private Political Army? sent to me by a loyal reader. It's a fairly lengthy read but certainly an interesting one.
Today around 100 opponents of the proposal are meeting in Edinburgh for a one-day conference organised by Cosla. The Justice Secretary is trying to head off confrontation with council bosses by promising local authorities that they will be closely involved in the shaping of policing within their boundaries. But will this be enough, especially when it's proposed that the oversight mechanism for the new service, a Scottish Police Board, may sideline councillors?
If I were a gambling woman I'd say Kenny MacAskill will win the argument by a thread. He is determined to change the face of Scotland's police services, but are his actions only those of a cosmetic surgeon? Only time will tell.
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11 comments:
A single police force, with possibly armed elements, in a state run by bankers in assocation with global financial interests and operating on a tax haven basis where the rich pay little and the poor pay a lot? Does anyone recall what Scotland was like under the Lords and Lairds with regality powers?
It's an interesting concept Demetrius. I see you've read the link.
I can't quite recall that time but I do remember some tales about it from my grandmother.
I know who the the senior police officer who warned against this move is, and I'd be extremely surprised if Kenny MacAskill does not take his views on board, considering which rank he achieved.
p.s. R. I've not been well enough to write back to you for the last few days but I shall get round to it!
Oh, and oddly, this policy is being forced by the London Met. who having being trying to rearrange Scotland's Police Forces for years now.
Off topic, but a little reminder what day this is:
http://jeannetomlin.blogspot.com
Scots should not (but far too often do) forget their history.
The media are making a big thing of the fact no minister attended the meeting today John. Mind you with only 2 week's notice...
Never realised this had anything to do with the Met. Interesting.
Jeanne, I'm ashamed to say I forgot but thank you so much for bringing that to my attention. I'll put it on this week's TYP.
Bah - the Scottish police - there's a few points I'd like to raise about them.
Unfortunately they seem to get their points over on me first, especially the Tayside variety.
Raedwald has a comment on this:
http://raedwald.blogspot.com/2011/08/scotland-on-road-to-national-police.html
I agree.
They've been centralising here for some years now Crinkly. The local office's hours have gradually been diminished and we can no longer telephone it. Calls go through a central office.
Thanks for the link WY. He has the same opinion as many here.
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