Police reform has been high on the government's agenda in the United Kingdom in the past decade. Some of the goals of police reform are to increase community engagement, to strengthen accountability, to ensure an overall structure to combat crime and anti-social bahaviour, and to create a police force with better combinations of skill levels. Essentially, the idea of police reform is that it will create better policing.

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Police reform has been high on the government's agenda in the United Kingdom in the past decade. Some of the goals of police reform are to increase community engagement, to strengthen accountability, to ensure an overall structure to combat crime and anti-social bahaviour, and to create a police force with better combinations of skill levels. Essentially, the idea of police reform is that it will create better policing.

Legislative reform in regards to the police has certainly been evident. Sections of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE) have been amended in recent years by the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, the Police Reform Act 2002, and the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The basic powers of a police officer arise from the status of the office constable, and this means that the police officer does not simply act as directed but has some discretion. Significantly, the Codes of Practice have been created to govern certain areas of police procedure. The Codes address, inter alia, practices for the exercise of stop and search as well as searches of premises and the seizure of property found by police officers. The UK police are also guided by codes, regulations and legislation overseeing their powers of investigation using surveillance, covert human intelligence resources, and interception of communications. The updated law on the interception of communications, the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA), takes into account of technological change and puts in checks and balances regarding intrusive investigative techniques.

Most of the rules that cover police behavior are set down in codes of practice, and if the police officers fail to follow these codes, they may be sued or disciplined. Disciplinary procedures in regards to the police in the UK are outlined in the Police Act 1996. Significant bodies include a Complaints and Discipline Department (CDD), who record a complaint and investigates the case, and the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), an independent body ensures that an investigation is conducted thoroughly, impartially and to a high standard. If a police officer commits a crime, the case is referred to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

One of the goals of the UK police reform is improving the performance of the police service, and to make it more flexible. Therefore, police officers in the UK have many opportunities for development in their chosen career. Upon selection, the officers receive extensive training. New constables are on probation for two years and undergo extensive training on a full time basis. At the end of a successful two-year period, an appointment in the office of constable will be confirmed. Officers have several entitlements, including leave, whether annual, sickness, or maternity leave, as well as compensation for extra time put in. The hours can be flexible. Significantly, opportunities for promotion are clearly outlined, as are the requirements and pensions upon retirement. Overall, police officers are well supported by the mechanisms set up in the United Kingdom.

Analysis provided by: Piotr Bysina, Police Legal Expert.

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