The Role of the Police in the UK
In the UK, the police have important jobs to do. Their main duties are:
- Protect Life and Property: The police help keep people safe and protect their belongings.
- Prevent Disturbances: They work to stop problems in the community and keep order, which is called “keeping the peace.”
- Prevent and Detect Crime: The police try to stop crimes from happening and catch those who break the law.
Organisation of the Police
The police are divided into different forces, and each force is led by a Chief Constable. These forces work independently from the government, which means they make their own decisions about how to keep the community safe.
Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs)
In November 2012, people in England and Wales started to vote for Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). These are individuals chosen by the public to ensure that the police serve the needs of their local communities. Their jobs include:
- Setting local police priorities.
- Managing the police budget.
- Appointing the Chief Constable.
Responsibilities of Police Officers
Police officers are public servants, which means they work for everyone. Here are some important rules for police officers:
- They must follow the law themselves.
- They should not misuse their power or be rude.
- They must not make false statements or discriminate against anyone.
If police officers do not follow these rules, they can face serious consequences.
Support from Police Community Support Officers (PSCOs)
In addition to police officers, there are Police Community Support Officers (PSCOs). PSCOs help in various ways, such as:
- Patrolling the streets.
- Assisting police officers at crime scenes and events.
Community Involvement
Everyone in the UK is encouraged to help the police. If you see something suspicious, you should report it. Also, if you are arrested, the police must tell you why, and you have the right to seek legal advice.
Complaints Against the Police
If you feel something went wrong with the police, you can make a complaint. You can do this by:
- Visiting a police station.
- Writing to the Chief Constable.
- Contacting an independent body, like the Independent Police Complaints Commission in England and Wales, or the Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland.
Questions for Understanding
Easy Level Questions
- What is one main job of the police?
- A) To cook food
- B) To protect life and property
- C) To build houses
- D) To teach in schools
- Who leads each police force?
- A) The Mayor
- B) The Chief Constable
- C) The Prime Minister
- D) The President
- What does PCC stand for?
- A) Police and Crime Commissioner
- B) Public and Community Care
- C) Police Chief Constable
- D) Public Crime Council
- What is the role of PSCOs?
- A) To patrol the streets
- B) To run for elections
- C) To manage hospitals
- D) To teach in schools
- What should police officers not do?
- A) Help people
- B) Follow the law
- C) Misuse their authority
- D) Protect the community
- Can anyone make a complaint about the police?
- A) No, only police officers can
- B) Yes, anyone can
- C) No, only the Chief Constable can
- D) Yes, but only in writing
- What is one responsibility of the police?
- A) To entertain people
- B) To prevent crime
- C) To work in shops
- D) To manage schools
- What do police officers do at crime scenes?
- A) Cook food
- B) Support PSCOs
- C) Watch TV
- D) Play games
- What does ‘keeping the peace’ mean?
- A) Stopping fights
- B) Making food
- C) Organising events
- D) Building houses
- Who can report suspicious activity to the police?
- A) Only adults
- B) Only police officers
- C) Everyone
- D) Only the Chief Constable
Medium Level Questions
- What is the purpose of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs)?
- A) To set local police priorities
- B) To train police officers
- C) To manage schools
- D) To run hospitals
- What happens if a police officer misuses their power?
- A) They get a promotion
- B) They are severely punished
- C) They are given a warning
- D) They can continue working
- How are PCCs chosen?
- A) By the police
- B) By the government
- C) By public election
- D) By the Chief Constable
- What must police officers tell you if you are arrested?
- A) Your rights
- B) The reason for your arrest
- C) What to do next
- D) All of the above
- What type of support do PSCOs provide?
- A) They patrol the streets
- B) They help at crime scenes
- C) They work with the public
- D) All of the above
- What can you do if you are unhappy with the police?
- A) Ignore it
- B) Make a complaint
- C) Talk to your friends
- D) Leave the country
- Which of the following is NOT a duty of the police?
- A) Preventing crime
- B) Protecting life
- C) Running businesses
- D) Keeping the peace
- What does it mean for the police to be independent of the government?
- A) They take orders from the Prime Minister
- B) They make their own decisions
- C) They work only for the government
- D) They have no responsibilities
- How can you make a complaint about the police?
- A) Only in person
- B) By writing to the Chief Constable
- C) By calling your friends
- D) Only online
- Why is it important for police officers to obey the law?
- A) To set a good example
- B) So they can break the law
- C) To show they are better than everyone else
- D) It is not important
Hard Level Questions
- What is the role of the Independent Police Complaints Commission in England and Wales?
- A) To set police budgets
- B) To investigate complaints against the police
- C) To train police officers
- D) To elect PCCs
- What are the consequences for police officers who commit racial discrimination?
- A) They may be rewarded
- B) They can be severely punished
- C) Nothing happens
- D) They get a warning
- What is the main job of a Chief Constable?
- A) To manage public schools
- B) To lead a police force
- C) To run for parliament
- D) To work in the government
- How do PCCs ensure police forces meet community needs?
- A) By setting local police priorities
- B) By ignoring community feedback
- C) By increasing police budgets
- D) By hiring more officers
- What happens if the police do not follow their own rules?
- A) They are promoted
- B) They can face serious consequences
- C) They are ignored
- D) They continue working
- What is the main purpose of police community support officers (PSCOs)?
- A) To take over police duties
- B) To assist and support police officers
- C) To run community events
- D) To manage police budgets
- What types of issues can the police help with?
- A) Only serious crimes
- B) Any disturbances in the community
- C) Only traffic accidents
- D) None
- How do police officers help prevent crime?
- A) By ignoring suspicious activity
- B) By patrolling and engaging with the community
- C) By making arrests only
- D) By working alone
- Why is community involvement important for police work?
- A) It is not important
- B) It helps the police to prevent and detect crimes
- C) It makes the police look good
- D) It provides jobs for people
- In what ways can someone make a complaint about the police?
- A) Speak to the police in person only
- B) Write to the Chief Constable or an independent body
- C) Tell their friends
- D) Post it online only
Answers to Questions
Easy Level Answers
- B) To protect life and property
- B) The Chief Constable
- A) Police and Crime Commissioner
- A) To patrol the streets
- C) Misuse their authority
- B) Yes, anyone can
- B) To prevent crime
- B) Support PSCOs
- A) Stopping fights
- C) Everyone
Medium Level Answers
- A) To set local police priorities
- B) They are severely punished
- C) By public election
- B) The reason for your arrest
- D) All of the above
- B) Make a complaint
- C) Running businesses
- B) They make their own decisions
- B) By writing to the Chief Constable
- A) To set a good example
Hard Level Answers
- B) To investigate complaints against the police
- B) They can be severely punished
- B) To lead a police force
- A) By setting local police priorities
- B) They can face serious consequences
- B) To assist and support police officers
- B) Any disturbances in the community
- B) By patrolling and engaging with the community
- B) It helps the police to prevent and detect crimes
- B) Write to the Chief Constable or an independent body
