Police and Government: The Status and Accountability of the English Constable

This book examines the role of the police in the constitutional framework and the extent to which they are subject to control by the electorate and their representatives in local authorities and Parliament. It challenges the widely accepted doctrine of police independence and discusses various topics such as the legal status of constables and chief constables, controversies about accountability, relations between local police authorities and the Home Secretary, the Royal Commission of 1962, the new Judges Rules for police questioning, and the Police Act of 1964. It provides an informed analysis of the problems being discussed at the time and is relevant to courses in Government, Local Government, and Constitutional Law.

Format: Hardback
Length: 166 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Despite the recent surge of controversy surrounding the police and their accountability in the 1960s, there has been a notable lack of comprehensive research that delves into the issues addressed in this book. Originally published in 1965, it explores an unresolved matter, namely the position of the police within the constitutional framework and the degree to which their activities can be regulated by the electorate and their representatives in local authorities and Parliament. The book challenges the widely accepted doctrine of police independence, which was prevalent at the time.

The topics covered in this work include the legal status of constables and chief constables; historical controversies surrounding accountability for police operations; the relationship between local police authorities and the Home Secretary; the findings of the Royal Commission of 1962; the introduction of the new Judges Rules for police questioning; and the Police Act of 1964. This work serves as a well-informed analysis of the problems that were being debated during that period concerning police powers and activities. It holds relevance to courses in Government, Local Government, and Constitutional Law, allowing readers to engage with it both historically and contemporaneously.

Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032419374