David Blunkett says that directed elected police commissioners should be avoided "like the plague" following his review of police accountability.
He said that not only would it politicise the police force but could also lead to far right groups "able to play to particular issues at particular times getting elected and being in control of our police services."
The implication is that "far right" groups could command a majority. How likely is that? And if it really is likely, what does that say about British democracy?
However, he said that direct accountability of the police to the communities they serve did need to be strengthened, but suggested other methods such as strengthening the role of poice authorities, community referendums on whether to pay additional levies for extra police, and strengthening the existing 'community call to action'.
All his suggestions are fig leaves. Police authorities offer no real accountability. For instance, we have seen some recently negotiate secret financial deals for chief constables. Who knows what else their police authority does, or knows how to influence it?
Referenda on extra resources also miss the point. The issue is not about more police. The issue is: are the police we have doing the right things?
Communities have minimal influence over that. And goodness knows what "the existing 'community call to action'" is.
Communities pay for their police. They need to be able to set their police's priorities and hold them to account.
Let's have some pilot schemes and then judge.
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It's not quite fair to say that the community has no influence over policing policy.
The Community Security Trust is regularly consulted by the senior echelons of the police and even provides training material for junior ranks.
Who are the CST?
CST is proud of Britain’s diverse and vibrant Jewish community, and seeks to protect its many achievements from the external threats of bigotry, antisemitism and terrorism.
CST provides physical security, training and advice for the protection of British Jews. CST assists victims of antisemitism and monitors antisemitic activities and incidents. CST represents British Jewry to Police, Government and media on antisemitism and security
CST believes that the fight against antisemitism and terrorism is an integral part of safeguarding our wider democratic British society against extremism and hatred.
http://www.thecst.org.uk/
In other words, they are there to look after the interest of a scattered part of the national community.
My post was about giving local communities more say about what happens in their own areas across the board of policing.
So quite different.
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