"Explain the meaning of authority in relation to the public services"Authority:This can be defined as the power or right to give orders or make decisions an example of this being used is

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Miriam Smith-Renieblas                Discipline in the Public Services

Task 6:

“Explain the meaning of authority in relation to the public services”

Authority:

This can be defined as the power or right to give orders or make decisions an example of this being used is "he has the authority to issue warrants".

Authority is what maintains discipline; it enforces rules and regulations (helps to maintain it). Authority can come from one person or a group of people. Authority can have different meanings depending on the context in which it’s used in, it can mean:

  • When somebody’s opinions is accepted because they have better knowledge on the subject area
  • The right to enforce obedience on others
  • Or when a person in authority passes power onto another person, then people follow the commands given.

How I would personally define authority:

I would personally define authority as the quality that allows you to hand out orders and have people followed them due to the respect they have towards you.  

Authority in the public services:

It is vital that authority within the public services in maintained.

Police Complaints authority:

There is a commission in charge of complaints made about any of the 43 Police forces in England and Wales. This is knows as the Police Complaints Authority (PCA), this is an independent commission, it was setup by the government back in 1985,

The PCA doesn’t only investigate complaints about the police force it also investigates complaints about any of the following:

  • National Crime Squad
  • National Criminal Intelligence Service
  • British Transport
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Port of Liverpool
  • Port of Tilbury
  • Royal Parks Police

The PCA set standards for the way the police handle complaints and, when something has gone wrong, we help the police learn lessons and improve the way they work.

You can make a complaint if you are a member of the public who:

  • Has been the victim of the misconduct by a person serving with the police. Misconduct could include a police officer or member of police staff being rude to you or using excessive force. It could also include unlawful arrest or an abuse of your rights.
  • Was present when the alleged misconduct took place, or close enough to see or hear the misconduct, and as a result suffered loss, damage, distress or inconvenience, or was put in danger or at risk.
  • Is a friend or relative of the victim of the alleged misconduct, distressed by the effects of the incident on the victim.
  • Has witnessed the alleged misconduct.
  • Is acting on behalf of any of the above. If you would like someone to make a complaint on your behalf, you must give them your consent in writing unless they are from a body such as a Citizens Advice Bureau.
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The main complaints handled by the PCA are the following:

  • Assault when under arrest
  • Neglect of duty
  • Breaches of Police and Criminal Evidence Act codes

Once a complaint is put across to the PCA, a member is to look at the case and investigate whether the officer which would have been chosen by the Police Force. Regardless of how long the investigation takes this member will interact with the investigating officer exchanging findings about the case, until the investigation is finalized, before considering the report finalized it has to be signed by the  member of the PCA. ...

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