New Police Bill under attack
01 January 1994
The Police and Magistrates Courts Bill, which introduces changes to local police authorities and magistrates' courts, has been strongly attacked by prominent Conservatives, top law officers, local authorities and the police (see also Feature on police accountability).
The Bill proposes that local police authorities should become quangoes (unelected bodies running public services) cut off from local government; the number of local councillors should be cut from two-thirds to a half of the membership; that 5 members are directly appointed by the Home Secretary; and that the Home Secretary appoint the Chair of the local police authority (in the face of opposition from senior legal figures and Conservative Lords this last proposal was withdrawn on 2 February). It also gives the Home Secretary the power to amalgamate forces. There are currently 43 police forces in England and Wales. Various proposals have suggested that the number should be reduced to 23 or 25 larger forces.
Sir John Smith, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), has strongly criticised the Bill saying that the central setting of objectives by the Home Office, and putting local Chief Constables on fixed term contracts would undermine local policing. In a letter to the Times he wrote that it would allow the government to control the police and that: "Depleting the elected membership of police authorities means fewer representatives will be forced through the ballot box to be sensitive and sympathetic to local people's needs" (18.1.93). The Association of Metropolitan Authorities and the Association of County Councils in a joint statement said that is was "a dangerous step in the direction of a national police force".
Lord Lieutenants
Perhaps the most extraordinary proposal centres on the appointment of the 5 members of police authorities by the Home Secretary. The reaction to this proposal was already lukewarm but turned to disbelief when Mr Howard the Home Secretary proposed on 17 January that these 5 members were to be appointed on the recommendations of six new regional boards comprised of: two Lord Lieutenants and a professional "recruitment consultant". Mr Howard maintained that Lord Lieutenants were "independent of government" - which is quite correct, they have nothing to do with democratic government as they are the representatives in each county of the monarch, the Queen. As the Guardian observed: "Perhaps above all, their interests reflect their standing. Managing their country estates and large houses, hunting, shooting, or running the shire horse society, loom large".
Application forms for appointment as an "independent" member of a police authority can be obtained from: Recruitment and Assessment Services Agency, Alencon Link, Basingstoke, Hants RG21 1JB (tel: 0256 468551).
Police and Magistrates' Court Bill 16.12.93; Guardian 18 & 20.1.94; Times 18.1.94; Home Office press release 17.1.94.