Civilians have a role in police work – but without police powers, the Police Federation argues.
Civilians have a role in police work, the Police Federation admits. The rank and file police body says on its website (www.polfed.org) that specialist investigators in areas such as fraud and IT are needed to work alongside police officers. It adds: ?The Federation does not believe that police powers need to be extended to such civilian investigators … The Police Federation remains firmly of the opinion that private security should not be involved in public patrolling. But there is scope for developing partnerships between police and private security firms based on: networking to include regular meetings and briefings to discuss common problems and provide a better understanding of each other’s role; information sharing such as local crime trends; crime prevention joint initiatives … On neighbourhood wardens, the Federation accepts that they are becoming an established part of many local authority areas, backed by millions of pounds worth of Government investment to provide a full-time uniformed presence on the streets and in public places. The Federation believe neighbourhood and street wardens can make a useful contribution to society where their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined and where they work in close co-operation with police. But wardens are not professional police officers and should not be asked to perform functions which are beyond their capabilities or which put them in danger. Like private security staff, the Federation believes wardens should never be given police powers or be allowed to challenge people’s behaviour by calling them to account for themselves. Such potentially hostile situations must only ever be carried out by fully trained and fully accountable police officers holding the ‘Office of Constable’, with all the responsibilities this carries.?
