Doing The Right Thing: Principles and People

Justice Hugo Black The Constitution was his bible. A well-thumbed copy was always in his pocket. When challenged about the effect of unpopular decisions, he would say simply: "The Court didn't do it. The Constitution did it."

1. The principles and spirit of the PROTOCOL apply to all PCC’s and Chief Constables.   2. The Act does not impinge on the legal authority and statutory foundation for the Office of Constable to maintain the Queen’s Peace without fear or favour. 3. The will of Parliament and Government is that the Office of Constable shall not be open to political interference. 4. The Chief Constable is responsible to the public and accountable to the PCC for leading the force in a way that is consistent with the attestation by all constables on appointment and ensuring that it acts with impartiality. 5. The direction and control of a Chief Constable will include absolute discretion to investigate crimes and individuals as he or she sees fit. 6. The Chief Constable is accountable to the law and the PCC for the delivery of policing in the police area but remains free to exercise the powers and duties of a constable without fear or favour. 7. All parties will abide by the principles of public life set out by the Nolan Committee and the core principles of The Good Governance Standard for Public Services.

Oath of the Office of Constable " I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve the Queen in the office of constable, with fairness, integrity, diligence and impartiality, upholding fundamental human rights and according equal respect to all people; and that I will, to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against people and property; and that while I continue to hold the said office I will, to the best of my skill and knowledge, discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law."

The Nolan Principles Selflessness Holders of public office should act solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other benefits for themselves, their family or their friends. Integrity Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties. Objectivity In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices on merit. Accountability Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office. Openness Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands it. Honesty Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest. Leadership Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Good Governance Standard for Public Services

London: election year 2011

New York, Election Year 1986 “D’Amato, who is running for re-election this year, denied that his drug buy was a campaign stunt.”

, is their success in cutting crime , is their success in cutting crime. I haven't asked the police to be social Theresa May speech, 16 August 2011 As Home Secretary, I've been clear from the beginning that the test of the effectiveness of the police, the sole objective against which they will be judged, the way in which communities should be able to hold them to account, is their success in cutting crime. I haven't asked the police to be social workers, I haven't set them any performance indicators, and I haven't given them a thirty point plan, I've told them to cut crime. How police chiefs go about cutting crime is up to them.vask e police to be social workers, I haven't set them “

Stop and Account “From 7 March 2011 we have removed the national requirement to record stop and account, in order to reduce police bureaucracy. These changes will save hundreds of thousands of hours of police time.”

Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Principles: The Police and the Public The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder. The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions. Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public. The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force. Police seek and preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient. Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.  

DA Morgenthau sworn into office January 4 1974

“Morgenthau Heads for Door, Legacy Assured” New York Times, February 27,2009, Page 1