UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) consists of a group of
islands situated off the western coast of Europe. The UK is the union of England,
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with English being the official language.

As earlier stated, only the policing of England will be discussed because of the legacy it
left to the modern policing system. Likewise, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland’s
have different policing, considering the uniqueness of their legal system and history of
freedom fighting respectively.

The population of the UK is in excess of 60 million people, and the capital city is London
in the south. More than 90% of the inhabitants are of European ethnic origin, with the
other main minority ethnic groups being Afro-Caribbean, African, Indian, Pakistani,
Bangladeshi, and Chinese. In religious terms, the UK is predominantly Christian, but
there are also large communities of Muslims, Hindus, Jews, and Sikhs.

Legal System of the United Kingdom

Unlike many other countries, the UK has no written constitution. From the 10th century
onward England has had a single crown, with her majesty Queen Elizabeth II as current
head of State. Parliament has been in existence since the 13th Century, and since the
18th century legal power has rested with parliament rather than the Monarchy.
Parliament today consists of: House of Lords the upper chamber with both hereditary
and life peers; and the House of Commons the lower chamber with elected members.

The executive is led by the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with Parliamentary elections
being held at least every 5 years.

The derivation of English law is a combination of common law and statute. Whereas the
former has developed over time from the decisions made by judges, the latter is where
Parliament passes legislation.

Police Accountability

Metropolitan Police follows what they referred to as the Tripartite Structure of policing.
As a mode of governance, this structure consists of power sharing arrangement
between the Home Secretary of the Central Government, Chief Constables of Individual
Forces and Police Authorities.

The Home Secretary could make regulations governing pay and conditions of service,
could approve certain equipment for police use and could approve the appointment of
Chief Officers selected by police authorities. The Chief Constables are made
responsible for the “direction and control” of forces in terms of operational matters; and
Police Authorities are duty-bound to appoint senior officers and to receive annual report
in writing from the Chief Constables.

Policing is funded by both central and local government constituting 51% from the
central government and 49% from the local government.

Recruitment Standards

The minimum age for a constable is 18 1/2 years. There is no upper age limit for
applying to the police service; normal retirement age is 55 years, however. ‘There are at
present, no minimum or maximum height requirements to join the police force. While
there are no formal educational requirements for recruitment to the police, applicants
have to pass two written test, which are designed to ensure that they have a good
standard of English. In addition to this, there is a requirement to pass a math test.
These math and literacy tests, plus observation tests, form what is known as the Police
Initial Recruitment Test. After passing this phase of the selection process, candidates
have to pass a physical fitness test, involving both strength and stamina. The third
phase ordinarily involves an assessment where candidates are tested by means of a
series of role-playing scenarios. The final stage is a panel interview with more senior
officers and civilian personnel officers, after which the candidate must have criminal
conviction checks and receive security clearance.

Probation Training

Following the phases of recruitment, a period of extensive training as a probationer

constable commences. This ordinarily includes a residential phase at a regional training
center where core policing skills are learned. In addition to this, time is spent with a tutor
constable with the intention that the probationer will gain valuable practical operational
experience. This phase is designed to empower the probationary constable to gradually
gain enough confidence to be able to gradually gain enough confidence to be able to
patrol independently. After further training and assessment of performance, confirmation
of appointment to the office of Constable is conformed after 2-year period.

Ranking System
Chief Constable ‘
Deputy Chief Constable
Assistant Chief Constable
Chief Superintendent \
Superintendent
Chief Inspector
Inspector
Sergeant
Police Constable