A LEADING Greater Manchester policeman has mounted an astonishing attack on Labour Party chairwoman Hazel Blears, saying she and the government are on the verge of destroying the British Bobby.
Paul Kelly, chairman of the
Greater Manchester Police Federation, which represents the interests of lower ranking officers, mounted the attack in a piece about police community support officers in the federation magazine Manchat.
He also blasts the Salford MP and former police minister, branding her attitude to her responsibilities to the people of Greater Manchester "indefensible".
Controversy about the role of police community support officers has raged nationally since they were introduced by the government.
Feeling is particularly high locally, as in Greater Manchester police have been given strictly ring-fenced money from the government to pay for them -while at the same time having to cut more than 200 regular police officer posts because of a budget shortfall.
Mr Kelly said: "I never thought I would see it in my service, but this government is now well on its way to destroying probably one of the most positive and respected national icons - the British Bobby. The office of police constable is the envy of the world. We are the oldest, and, indeed, the finest, law enforcement body.
'Hell-bent'
"However, this government is hell-bent on replacing the bobby on the beat with the civilian in the community.
"A major advocate for the change is Hazel Blears, who has now left the Home Office and moved on, leaving behind an insidious cancer that is already eating away at police numbers in Manchester."
Mr Kelly added: "She still claims that the PCSO project is feasible and effective, even when faced with their own independent evaluation on the effectiveness of PCSOs that stated they had no measurable effect on levels of crime or instances of anti-social behaviour.
"All of the above is in no way a criticism of the fine women and men who chose to be PCSOs."
Ms Blears, speaking as chair of the Labour Party, said: "Community support officers have been a great success. They are popular, they put a uniformed presence on the streets, and they're here to stay."
IS Hazel Blears 'hell-bent' on replacing the British Bobby? Have your say.
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Showing comments 1 to 14 and replies | View All
chris, mcr (09/06/2006 at 10:59)
ANON, MCR (09/06/2006 at 11:10)
mike, city centre Manchester (09/06/2006 at 11:47)
Stop Em, Bradford (09/06/2006 at 12:58)
His complaint about Hazel Blears is unfounded and in fact semi-libellous. Just because people want to change a system does not require this kind of inflammatory language.
The news systems now being brought in with neighbourhood policing and work with other agencies in geographical areas brings policing back to where it should be. Back from the 'army of occupation' system that developed with cars being the only method of patrolling the streets. PCSOs, police, neighbourhood wardens, parking wardens, etc all have a critical role in making neighbourhoods safe and the police to be seen as part of communities, not some alien force.
Come off it, the developing agenda promises to be a massive improvement. Stop trying to defend the indefensible!
Paul, Nottingham (09/06/2006 at 15:58)
Jimmy, Sussex (09/06/2006 at 18:34)
Give them the relevant powers and you will see the benefits!
Enigma, Trafford (09/06/2006 at 21:13)
Anthony, Accrington,Lancashire (09/06/2006 at 22:46)
Tubby Scruff, On patrol (09/06/2006 at 23:36)
I'm not a fan of Blears, something about her doesnt gel in my head, she's more interested in Hazel than the people she represents..though I suppose they all are ?
Samantha Jones, Bucks (10/06/2006 at 20:45)
Not only is Labour destroying the police, it's destroying the whole of the UK, especially England, without our permission or consultation, that's a dictatorship in
anyones language.
It is nothing short of treachery.
Wake up Britain before it's too late. Blair has sold you out, for his place at the head of Europe.
He wants a legacy but it will never be the one he craves, it will be as the destroyer of the UK. Are you going to let him complete his deadly task?
Roy Ellor, Salford (11/06/2006 at 10:24)
Why do we have to accept that having uniformed police officers charging about the streets in Subarus and Astras is the only way to police a city? Because that's what it had descended to.
Hazel Blears, whilst in charge of policing, at least tried to implement a break from that vehicle-bound policing model that was a failure. Coppers don't LIKE doing the beat and much prefer chasing around in cars. The PCSO puts a presence on the street, and a presence that people actually want.
Naturally reactionaries within the police will attak anything they see as interference with their paramilitary view of policing, reinforcing the them-and-us model which fails to protect anybody.
L Stenner, UK (12/06/2006 at 11:15)
Lennie Briscoe, England (12/06/2006 at 13:24)
The government is attempting to pull the wool over the publics eyes by use of a flourescent jacket. The police bought the idea as they saw these individuals taking the low level crime away from their core responsibilty freeing them up to deal with more serious crime. This has not been the reality. PCSO's can not deal with the multitude of events that happen and generally require a uniformed constable to make an appearance. It's a waste of money especially at a time when regular officers are being laid off. The next half brained idea will probably be promoting road sweepers to the office of constable. After all they have the yellow jacket already?!
Mel, Sussex (13/06/2006 at 13:33)
PC Kelly is right....To an extent. The training does not properly represent the issues we face on the street. No powers of arrest? There are numerous offences that 'any person' may arrest for. The Federation are in a superb place to have PCSOs powers extended or ammended to assist PCs where need be. There seems to be many people with problems, but not willing to offer effective ideas on how to improve the role of PCSO.
Politically motivated snitches?? No, we come to work and do our job. No matter what government presides at the time.
As for PCSOs arriving at a call for back up...Would you rather we watched a colleague get hurt? I certainly would assist my colleague, and I do not know of a PCSO who would do anything else but help.
I have worked in areas who have not had a police presence in years, and the locals are glad to have us around. You cannot police from a car (not negating the need for response teams)and the public know that. Perhaps anyone who doubts the effectiveness of PCSOs should spend a couple of shifts with one or two. Seeing what they have to do and put up with. Not just that but to appreciate the welcome they get from locals who are pleased to have police of any kind in the area.
If you think you can better the role, please do so. PCs have been around for over 100 years. We (PCSOs)have been around for about 4 years. So the role wont have had time to mature. Federation members blasting off like this, does make our job harder. We are trying to gain the trust and respect of the communities we serve. Im just glad that many people ask us about our role and powers and find out first hand what we do. Rather than being told that we are useless by an organisation that exists for its members and to protect them whatever the cost. PCSOs are not here to take the job of a PC. Nor are we here to create a false sense of security. We do a lot of the 'just jobs' that PCs dont have the time to do, or the things that dont neccesarily require someone to be arrested. We do the house to house enquiries, community meetings, moving on groups of youths from places that have complained, collecting CCTV tapes and the dealing with neighbour disputes, and generally freeing up the time PCs have to go and catch the muggers and rapists and drug dealers (from intelligence reports gathered by PCSOs in the community).
We deal with quality of life issues and do a good job that isnt supported by outbursts from people whao have probably never spoken to a PCSO.
So, if you can help the role of PCSO progress into a better role, do it. If you dont understand what a PCSO does, ask one. We dont bite.
Mel