Resource sheet – Changes in policing Number and sizes At the beginning of the 20th century there were over 200 police forces. This was too many. In the 1960s and 1970s, these were reduced to 41 forces, with counties and/or borough (town) police joining together. By 1998 there were over 125 000 police officers and 41 police forces. In 1964 some counties were grouped into Regional Crime Squads to improve co-operation between the police forces of neighbouring counties.
Powers Increased crime has meant that many people have been happy to see police powers increase. For example, the Police and Criminal Evidence Act of 1984 and the Public Order Act of 1986 have given the police greater powers. Others are concerned that these have given the police too much power.
Women The first women police constables were introduced in 1920, although the first woman Chief Constable was not appointed until 1996. Policewomen now make up 22% of the force. This was a result of changing British attitudes towards equality for women in employment (the Sex Discrimination Act).
Specialist groups As well as creating larger forces, the police have set up several smaller, specialist groups to deal with particular problems e.g. Fraud Squad / Drugs Squad / Anti-Terrorist Squad. Some people are afraid that this might lead to a national police force, used by the government to stop any opposition. Crime prevention = many people/towns have set up their own new methods of crime prevention e.g. neighbourhood watch (similar to the 19th century watchmen but voluntary) & CCTV. This is down to an increase in crime/more valuable possessions in ordinary homes/mistust of the police.
New technology The police have tried to use new technology. In 1923, they began to use radios in cars and, 11 years later, two-way radios. In the 1960s, personal radios were introduced for policemen on the beat. More and more police use cars and motorbikes (and even helicopters). However, this has reduced the number ‘on the beat’. In 1901, the police began to use fingerprinting and, by the end of the 20th century, DNA ‘printing’. Police also have the National Computer Record (instant access to computer-held records of all people/vehicles). In 1937, the 999 call was introduced to speed up the reporting of crime. Most police are unarmed except for truncheons. However, the number of occasions when police carry guns has increased.