PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

Extending Professional Competence



Extending Professional Competence

Part 1

There have been many issues and debates regarding the police usage of force and less than lethal weapons. There has been news in the past of police brutality and the use of the police force. Every police district has certain rules and regulations which the officers have to follow. There are several policies and regulations regarding the police force usage and the use of less than lethal weapons. Proper training provides the police officials to handle the firearms and usage of the less than lethal weapons.

I am a detective chief inspector and have been working in Durham Constabulary for the last 18 years. I have also heard reports about the police usage of force and less than lethal weapons. At the Durham Constabulary, there are strict guidelines for all the officers to follow in case of usage of force. The use of force is the last resort for the police officials. The team of Firearms logistics has the responsibility to ensure that the police officials maintain the firearms compliance and capabilities with the Home Office Code of Practice for the Police Use of Firearms and less than lethal weapons. This is a Home Office Code introduced by the Police Reform Act 2002, and during the year 2006/2007, the Force will undergo an inspection process by the National centre for Policing Excellence (NCPE) to ensure compliance. By necessity, this requires a close working relationship with the Firearms Tactical Training centre, which provides all firearms training for both the Durham Constabulary and Cleveland Police.

Police Accountability is essential in any democratic society. Some of their employees and law enforcement agencies, as such, should be held accountable for their actions. Legality and legitimacy of the police depends on the effectiveness of procedures to ensure police accountability. This is the only way to achieve their objectives by the police in reducing crime and disorder, improve the quality of public life and service to the public interest. In contrast to the widely held view that effective control of crime and respect for constitutional principles - its competing values in police work, today, experts are increasingly recognizing the fact that the laws of behavior and accountability play a crucial role in the fight against crime.

One of the most pressing challenges for UK policing was the issue of diversity. Following the murder of the black London teenager, Stephen Lawrence, in 1993, and the subsequent MacPherson Inquiry in 1999, the police accepted the label that they were “institutionally racist.” This did not mean that the problem was one of overtly racist behavior being displayed by a minority of rogue officers, but rather that the problem was one of unwitting racism because of policies, procedures, and practices that served to inadvertently discriminate against blacks and other minority groups (Andrews & Bonta 2003, 67). Since 1999, the police have been encouraged to undertake reforms to consult hard-to-reach groups within the community. To recruit, retain, and progress black and minority officers within the forces throughout ...