The police: protecting everyone, and keeping to the law themselves

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The job of the police in the UK comes down to three things:

Protecting life and property

Preventing disturbances (keeping the peace)

Preventing and detecting crime

The UK's police work in many separate forces, each led by a Chief Constable. The police are independent of the government.

In November 2012, people in England and Wales voted for the first time to elect Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). These directly elected commissioners are there to make sure the local police work well and meet the needs of the community. They set local policing priorities and the local policing budget, and they appoint the Chief Constable.

The police are a public service for everyone, whatever their background and wherever they live. The police must obey the law too. They must not misuse their powers, make false statements, be rude or abusive, or commit racial discrimination. Police officers who are corrupt or who misuse their authority are punished severely.

Working alongside the police are police community support officers (PCSOs). Their role varies from area to area, but usually they patrol the streets, work with the public, and support the police at crime scenes and big events.

Everyone should also do what they can to help the police prevent and detect crime. If the police arrest you and take you to a police station, they will tell you the reason, and you can ask for legal advice.

Most police in England, Wales and Scotland don't carry guns; Northern Ireland is the exception. In an emergency you call 999, which started in London in 1937 as the world's first emergency phone number. For things that aren't emergencies, call 101.

The traditional tall dark-blue helmet of the London police, with a silver star-shaped badge on the front — The traditional helmet of London's Metropolitan Police, the best-known look of the British police officer. British police officers are nicknamed "bobbies" after Robert Peel, the Home Secretary who set up London's Metropolitan Police in 1829. In the early days they were also called "peelers". Photo: Canley, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Unhappy with the police? You can complain

When the police get things wrong, there is a complaints system to sort it out. Any member of the public can complain, either at a police station or by sending a letter to the Chief Constable of the force in question. Each part of the UK also has somewhere independent to turn:

England and Wales: you can also complain directly to an independent body, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), through its website, policeconduct.gov.uk.
Scotland: if you have already complained and you are not happy with how your complaint was dealt with, you can turn to the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC).
Northern Ireland: the Police Ombudsman's Office.

Key facts

What the police do: protect life and property, stop disturbances (this is called keeping the peace), and prevent and detect crime.
The police are organised in separate forces, each headed by a Chief Constable, and are independent of the government.
In November 2012, England and Wales elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). They are directly elected and make sure the police are efficient and meet the community's needs. They set local policing priorities and the budget, and appoint the Chief Constable.
The police must keep to the law. They must not misuse their powers, make false statements, be rude or abusive, or discriminate on grounds of race. Corruption or misuse of authority is dealt with very seriously.
Police community support officers (PCSOs) support the police. Their role differs by area, but they usually patrol the streets, work with the public, and help the police at crime scenes and major events.
Everyone should try to help the police prevent and detect crime. If you're arrested and brought to a police station, you'll be told the reason and can get legal advice.
To complain about the police: go to a police station, or write to the Chief Constable of the force concerned. You can also complain to an independent body: in England and Wales, through its website (policeconduct.gov.uk); in Scotland, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC), if you are unhappy with how your complaint was handled; in Northern Ireland, the Police Ombudsman's Office.

Quiz

Which TWO of the following are duties of the police in the UK?

Quiz

Since November 2012, voters in England and Wales have elected officials who decide local policing priorities and appoint the Chief Constable. What are these officials called?

Quiz

In Northern Ireland, which independent body can people go to with a complaint about the police?

Chapter contents: Respecting the Law