47. Second supplementary memorandum
submitted by the Police Federation of England and Wales
I write to express some acute concerns I have
in relation to the Serious Organised Crime and Police Bill (2004).
Whilst I understand detailed scrutiny of the Bill is not within
the explicit parameters of the Home Affairs Committee's inquiry
into police reform, I fear a number of the provisions within it
could fundamentally change the nature of policing in the UK.
The Police Federation of England and Wales support
the principal aim of the Bill: to create a single co-ordinated
and integrated organisation to improve our capability to combat
serious and organised crime. However I believe the Bill has far
wider implications than its name suggests and last week I wrote
to all MPs to express the concerns of the Police Federation, specifically
vis-a"-vis NCS and NCIS officers losing their status and
powers as Officers of the Crown, giving CSOs yet more powers and
the civilianisation of the post of custody officer.
During the second reading of the Bill our strong
concerns were echoed by MPs from all parties, nevertheless a disproportionate
amount of time centred on deep theological debate on incitement
to religious hatred. Whilst this proposed amendment to the law
is undoubtedly of public interest, I believe the future structure
of the police service and the direction of police reform is of
critical importance to the whole of society.
I believe many of the proposals in the Bill
are ill thought through and as a result, ill prepared. As it stands
this Bill will allow the Director General of Soca to have massive
powers of bestowment. The powers of this one individual would
eclipse those of the Home Secretary or any Chief Constable, yet
it appears that scrutiny of the workings of Soca will be provided
by a rather muddied combination of the Home Affairs Committee
and what would be an inherently political cabinet committee. I
strongly believe any such powers should be subject to full and
comprehensive parliamentary scrutiny.
This Bill will change the status of police officers,
grant powers of arrest to civilians and grant the power to civilians
to determine the custody status of police officers. In theory
an individual could be arrested and placed in custody with barely
any input from a fully-sworn, fully-trained and accountable police
officer. I believe these developments go way beyond mere "police
reform" and I hope therefore it will be possible for the
HAC to consider these issues within the context of its police
reform inquiry.
Jan Berry
Chairman
14 December 2004
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