Title: Can politics and policing work together? - BBC News
Headings: Can politics and policing work together?
Can politics and policing work together?
Content: Elections will be held in November and the first potential candidates are emerging. The concern, however, is that this American-inspired model of police accountability may not translate easily into English or Welsh. The principles enshrined by the father of our modern police force, Sir Robert Peel, are to be found in the General Instructions given to the first Metropolitan Police officers in 1829. Number five of nine states that it is the duty of officers "to seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion; but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws, by ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing". British tradition has it that, to retain its legitimacy, the police service cannot allow itself to be politicised. Accountable, yes. Political, never. 2.42.4.a5b3b2a
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Former chief constable Tim Brain and Lord Prescott debate the need for elected police commissioners
So here's the dilemma. How can you increase the democratic influence upon chief constables without undermining their independence?