Police equipment used to be very primitive and since crimes were becoming more sophisticated the equipment had to grow and also become more sophisticated. The development of the telegraph and then the telephone allowed the police to send and receive important information quickly. In 1923 the Metropolitan Police Force began to use radios in cars and telephone boxes, however, it was still rather primitive as the police had to use Morse code. In 1934, these were replaced with two-way radios for police cars. This of course enabled the police to communicate with each other more proficiently and more quickly.
The downside to this introduction was the fact that the police had to have a car in order to communicate with each other while on the beat, but nevertheless this did improve the policing system. It was later discovered that restricting the police to having a radio in a car was not a very good idea. So as a result personal radios were introduced for policemen on the beat during the 1960s. This proved a great help and enabled the police to perform arrests more efficiently. However, before this, police spent most of their time patrolling their beat alone and on foot. The only way they could call for assistance was to blow their whistles. The personal radios progressed even further and in 1997 police were given mobile phones to communicate with each other, although some officers still used radios but this was for immediate communication.
Also introduced during the 1960s were the police cars. It seemed logical to provide policemen with cars since they had to rush to a crime scene. The increase in the use of cars meant a decrease in the number of policemen “on the beat”.
Identifying re-offenders was a problem so the Finger print branch decided that they needed to keep a database of criminals. This in turn led to every police station having to keep a record of arrests made and taking down the criminal’s fingerprints. This later progressed into DNA printings, but this happened near the end of the 1900s. Police also have the National Grid Record. This includes a database of fingerprints, motor vehicle details and missing persons.
During the 1960s, foreigners were allowed to join the police force. As one would think things should have got better, however, unfortunately the non-native police officers were under attack from racism, not only from outside but also within the force. This internal problem had to be combated and so strict rules were applied. Anyone who was caught being racist or hurtful to another member of the team was to be extradited from the force. Although this rule was put out, racism continued within the force and of course internal problems would stun the progression of the police force. Unfortunately racism still takes place to this very day.
Police weaponry and armoury have both improved drastically: The police truncheon progressed to become the baton, the police handcuffs have become more modified, the police are equipped with bullet-proof vest when before there was no protection from guns. As time goes on technological advances are made. This obviously meant that weapons were made more “hi-tech”. Firearms were introduced to the police during the 1970s. Though police officers were not usually armed, firearms training were provided. The 1970s also sees the development of the Anti-Terrorist (or Bomb) Squad. This unit was to crack down on Terrorist plots. With the set up of this unit there had to be special training for the officers. The Bomb Squad members had to sit a course and pass it before being allowed on the team. Simulation bombs were made for practice on diffusing it, and special devices were especially made for this task. Specialised robots were made for the Bomb squad to dispose of any bombs. With this unit being created, the police obviously received a substantial amount of financial support and it just shows how the force has progressed with the introduction of new technology and special units.
Recruitment to the police force has increased drastically since the beginning of the 1900s. The number of police officers back in 1901 was about 100,000 men. By the 1960s this figure shot up to 1,000,000 officers in and around Britain. This just shows us that the recruitment of police officers has progressed through the years. The recruitment now is excellent. Adverts are placed all over the T.V, newspapers and billboards.
With the introduction of more police officers crime rate has seen a major drop. However, drops like this are sometimes achieved by unlawful abuse of power by the police. It has been evident that the police have abused their power, as it has been reported on the news and has also been captured on video camera. This of course led to major disciplinary actions enforced by the head of police, who is now Sir Paul Condon. Although this abuse of power does take place, we cannot assume that all police officers are bad. Arrests were also made using lawful pressures. However, some people still fear the power that is given to the police by the Public Order Act of 1986. There has also been concern about the way in which some demonstrations are policed.
Certain cases regarding police methods have caused some alarm from the public. These include cases of corruption, brutality and straightforward inefficiency. One response was the setting up of the Police Complaints Authority in 1985. It dealt with complaints put against the police from the public. Although it was a improvement on the previous complaints system, many people were still unhappy as the police investigated the complaints against their own officers. Many people do not trust the police as much as they used to. One indication of this is the nicknames given to them. Before it used to be “bobby”, but now it is a more hostile name “pig”. Some people argue that the police force needs to be changed into a police service, with better attitudes towards the general public. However, there is still a lot of public support for the police.
Whether or not the police have made a huge progress I would both agree and disagree with this. I believe that the policing system has made a tremendous progression but is pulled back by the major internal problems that affect it: racism and corruption to name but a few. To say that the police have made a huge progression would be wrong; it would be more logical to say that they have made a steady progression keeping one head above of crime. Technology, recruitment, Special Units and Equipment has all progressed but Racism, corruption, brutality and abuse of power is still present to this very day. It cannot be disputed that the policing system has improved and progressed but the internal problems must be eradicated in order to take the system to a higher level.
