Blunkett calls for police accountability
The home secretary David Blunkett has declared that the police should face greater democratic accountability.
Addressing the Association of Police Authorities, Mr Blunkett also said that local police chiefs should have more freedom from the control of chief constables.
Launching a new government green paper, he outlined plans for part of the police authorities to be directly elected, rather than being appointed by the local authority from among its own members.
The home secretary argued that the public feel they have very little control over local policing priorities and he expects that greater accountability will increase the demand for police patrols to reassure the public.
He told delegates that he wants the second phase of police reform to concentrate on giving police greater freedom to set priorities at the basic command unit.
Mr Blunkett also highlighted new research showing that the public have little understanding of how the police are accountable or whom they are accountable to and most people do not understand how police authorities work.
Government research shows that members of the public do not want to give their views on local policing, since they generally feel no one would listen. Experts predict that a greater public say in policing would lead to calls for more foot patrols and greater visible presence of officers.
