Since the days of Margaret Thatcher the police have become increasingly biased in favour of government when their only real purpose is that of keeping the peace.
They are no longer politically neutral, what do you think?
2007-01-02 20:58:11 · 9 answers · asked by Barrie G 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
As a serving Police officer I agree. The Police by in large are dictated to by Government I have no doubt. They set the agenda etc. To give you the clearest example, If you look at the visit of the Chinese Prime Minister several years back when all the protesters were forced away from locations and routes taken by the Chinese PM. Also the fact that the Police even covered up protesters posters. This hadn't happened before on this scale and I'm 100% convinced the Met Police were told by Government to keep protests to a minimum by force if necessary. The Met took blame for the over-use of force but it was at the Governments request. The Government just kept quiet in the background as they didn't want to be seen as the instigators in the restriction of the right to protest.
2007-01-03 00:23:01 · answer #1 · answered by Roaming free 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A slightly new political trend in the ever entertaining antics of politicians ingratiating themselves with various pretentious acts of 'social realism' has swept the body politic into supporting edicts and laws that slowly embalms society in an environment of fear and suspicion - the two prerequisites for autocratic rule.
The war in Iraq WAS autocratic, preceded by fear and suspicion.
If the police could be 'neutral' they would set about putting together a criminal case against government minsters for conspiring against public interests and prosecuting them for murder in Iraq.
In this respect the police can never be 'neutral' as they are an integrated part of the establishment - whether it be democratic or autocratic or technocratic. They act under the supervision of a chain of command that goes high up into Whitehall where faceless monsters chant mottos and slogans of national import.
Historically the nature of a police force is to act as a kind of stool pigeon for whatever flavour of politics is carried by the wind of change and the steps toward a gestapo kind of nature are so imperceptible that society 'sleep walks' into a police State. (Look what happened to Walter Wolfgang (82) who got 'mugged' by the Party's heavy handed 'minders' at the Labour Party Conference last year for heckling - which is what they all do in the House of Commons everyday) This is a tell tale sign - watch this space.
Therefore, the Police, per se, are always biased in favour of the government. That's their job. To prop up a regime of any kind.
2007-01-03 16:54:38 · answer #2 · answered by forgetful 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The job of the police is to uphold the law. The government makes the laws and pays the police wages. The only way the police can become politically neutral would be for us to elect a government that wants to achieve this. That excludes the two neo-Thatcherite parties.
2007-01-03 05:06:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think the Government has made the roles of the UK's Chief Constables very difficult. It's honours and better funding if they toe the line, or sacking and funding restrictions if they don't.
Hence the politically correct shambles we have today, where burglaries are practically ignored, but pensioners can be interviewed for hours under caution and threatened with prison for expressing a view that could be deemed homophobic.
2007-01-03 05:08:46 · answer #4 · answered by Never say Never 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its the governments fault for setting all these targets and sticking their nose in everywhere. they should be left alone to get on with the job and target the needs of the local community rather than just meeting government targets all the time. That's why the police are losing more and more respect from the public each year.
2007-01-03 05:04:02 · answer #5 · answered by 90210 aka Hummer Lover 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
your assertion that the police are there to keep the peace is
funny at best
the sole purpose for the creation of the bow street runners
right through to the modern day police
is to protect established order
they have never been neutral
the force has nothing to do with political trends
and certainly nothing to do with protecting people
those are incidentals after all have to keep order for
the elites to enjoy themselves cant let riff raff clutter up the place
have you not noticed what people are worth as
opposed to property
what happens when a poor family member is murdered
then look what happens when an 'elite' gets it....
So no they are as neutral as rival football supporters
2007-01-03 05:12:18 · answer #6 · answered by farshadowman 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I say so. The problem is that people who are attracted to police work love power. It is the same with politics. I was afraid of the people in college who wanted to be policemen. THere was one who I felt comfortable with the job. People say that there are checks and balances to prevent power minded poeple from takin these jobs, but I live in LA, and we have several cases that shows that it doesn't work. By the way there are policemen trolling this site and insulting anyone who says anything negative about policemen.
2007-01-03 05:08:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
...it is time...yes...but will it happen...LOL....i wish it would.....i grew up with a dad in a UK police force working on all sorts and then got on the wrong side of them as an adult...i am good now i am a mum mind...but was a little norty in my 20's....have seen both sides...and it is bloody hilarious...happy new year...xxx
2007-01-03 05:06:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are politically nuertral. Obviously you are one of those that isn't a cop.
2007-01-03 05:38:34 · answer #9 · answered by deftonehead778 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋