Police Misconduct: The Case of Ian Tomlinson

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This report will be on the Police service. It will explain who the police are and their role and function within the Criminal Justice System and society. In addition, it will talk about police misconduct and the results of police misconduct within the police, government and society.

The police was set up originally in 1829 by Robert Peel, who was home secretary at the time. It was created because as society became more complex, they needed a way to deal with civil disorder without using the military (Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime 2014). To date, there are 43 police forces in England and Wales. The police are used “to prevent crime, protect life and

property and pre-serve public tranquillity” (Joyce, P 2009 p48)

The police are just one agency within the Criminal Justice System All of the agencies within the Criminal Justice System work together. Another agency in the Criminal Justice System is The Ministry of Justice, of whom are responsible for other parts of the justice system such as the courts, prisons and probation services. For example, the police are responsible for keeping the peace and for the investigation of crime, they also collect evidence and arrest suspected offenders. In case of an emergency, the public is able to call ‘999’ and ask for the police to be sent out. Once at the scene the police then makes a decision, if the case is minor, then the police decide whether to caution them, or take no further action. They can also issue a fixed penalty notice, or they can refer to the Crown Prosecution Service for a conditional caution. If it is a more serious case, they send the papers to the Crown Prosecution Service for them to decide on the prosecution. Once sent to the Crown Prosecution Service it is ...

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...nline] [Last accessed 6th March 2014]

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/jun/20/ian- tomlinson-death-officer-trial

Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime 2014. (2014). 'The Metropolitan Police how it all began'. Available: http://content.met.police.uk/Article/The-Metropolitan-Police- how-it-all-began/1400015336362/1400015336362. [Last accessed 6th March 2014]

The Crown Prosecution Service. (2014). ‘The Police’. Available: http://www.cps.gov.uk/about/cjs.html#a06. [Last accessed 6th March 2014]

The Guardian (2012) PC Simon Harwood and Ian Tomlinson: key footage – video http://www.theguardian.com/uk/video/2012/jul/19/simon-harwood-ian-tomlinson-video

Walker, P (2012) ‘Ian Tomlinson death: Simon Harwood cleared of manslaughter’ Available: http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/jul/19/simon-harwood-not-guilty-ian- tomlinson [Last accessed 6th March 2014]

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