This chapter covers the application of the law surrounding incidents that involve alcohol, drugs, and substance use. It cites that the health and safety of all persons present must be considered due to the potential for injury. Moreover, the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), the Degree Holder Entry Programme (DHEP), and pre-join programmes often also provide an introduction to the wider issues surrounding alcohol and other forms of drug and substance use. The chapter mentions how alcohol is also a problem for a significant minority of young people. Meanwhile, drug legislation has been carefully worded so that it would prosecute users and people involved in the drug supply.
12
Chapter
Alcohol, Drugs, and Substance Use
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
Chapter
Attempts, Conspiracy, and Encouraging or Assisting Crime
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter considers the legislation designed to handle incidents of suspects assisting crime or conspiracy. It cites that offenders will be prosecuted for attempting to commit the full offence or for conspiracy despite stopping short of committing indictable offences. Moreover, accomplices who encourage or assist in the enactment of a crime from a distance are also considered for prosecution. The rationale for creating the inchoate offences of conspiracy, attempts, and incitement is based on the notion that the perpetrator is no less dangerous or culpable than a person who might commit the full or substantive offence. The chapter mentions the possible defences against a claim of encouraging or assisting offences.
Chapter
Attending Incidents
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter discusses the general procedures to be followed when attending incidents, including crime scenes. The police attend volume crime scenes and minor incidents more often than major crime scenes like murder or rape. However, the principles of attending a volume crime scene are no different to those employed when attending the scene of a serious crime. The scene of an incident normally requires a police officer to make a judgement about the scale and type of response required so that the appropriate help and support are made available. The chapter notes the protocols to be followed if crimes involved deaths, fires, and railway incidents.
Book
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Divided into six parts, representing key stages in progression from entry into policing, to initial training and then confirmation, the text leads the reader through each topic, covering theory, discussion, and practice while helping readers to develop skills of analysis, problem solving, and forms of reasoning. The text provides the knowledge and understanding necessary to undertake independent patrol in a professional and competent manner. Key topics covered include stop, search, and entry; alcohol and drug offences; sexual offences; interviewing; and intelligence, as well as cybercrime. Those aspects of police training which are common to all new entrants are clearly identified. There are specific chapters on qualification structures and training and assessment.
Chapter
Crime and Criminality
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter explores the nature of disorder, crime, and criminality in England and Wales. The close relationship between the law, society, and individuals is a key factor in understanding crime. Hate crime is a particular case of subjectivity in law, as the perception of a victim can determine whether a crime has occurred. Criminology has also provided the police with important theories about the nature of crime and criminal behaviour that help the police in various ways. The chapter examines various means of measuring crime rates, such as police and criminal justice statistical records, large-scale government-sponsored surveys, and small-scale academic studies.
Chapter
Criminal Investigation
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter looks into the process and principles of a criminal investigation. It defines criminal investigation as an investigation conducted by police officers to ascertain whether a person should be charged with an offence. Central to the investigative process is the collection, collation, and evaluation of various categories of information. Regardless of the level of accreditation, all investigators are expected to understand the legislation that impacts their investigative role and keep abreast of changes. Moreover, investigators also need to be mindful of the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime that provides important standards for updating, treating, and supporting victims.
Chapter
The Criminal Justice System in England and Wales
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter examines the key features of the criminal justice system (CJS) in England and Wales. It gives a brief account of some of the legislation that protects the general rights of UK citizens, such as the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984 Codes of Practice. In the UK, the concept of the CJS refers to the law and law enforcement, and deals with transgressions of the law. The chapter then explains the process of prosecutions, which could either be conducted by the police or the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). It details the principles of criminal liability, which involves the notions of actus reus and mens rea.
Chapter
Cybercrime
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter explains that the notion of cybercrime encompasses a wide range of criminal activity that involves some form of electronic or digital technology. It defines cybercrime as an umbrella term used to describe two distinct, but closely related criminal activities: cyber-dependent and cyber-enabled crimes. The five main ways that digital technology can impact crime range between being the target, aiding the crime, as a communication tool, being a witness, or acting as a storage medium. The chapter highlights the importance of a police officer recognizing new forms of crime in new environments and taking appropriate and timely actions. It notes that the international nature of evidence gathering is one of the main complications when dealing with cybercrime.
Chapter
Damage to Buildings and Other Property
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter covers the law surrounding damage to property, which origins from the Criminal Damage Act of 1971. It acknowledges that criminal damage is one of the most common and visible crimes in England and Wales. Investigations into criminal damage, arson, and heritage crime provide good examples of the multi- and interagency approach to crime reduction. The chapter discusses how buildings and sites of historic interest have some form of legal protection in the UK, citing how numerous bodies share responsibility in enforcing the legislation designed to protect heritage sites. It considers the offence of possessing an article with intent to cause criminal damage.
Chapter
Forensic Investigation
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter examines the role that forensic investigation plays in policing. It also highlights the role of police officers in assisting the Crime Scene Investigator (CSI), such as ‘bagging and tagging’ evidence and collecting evidence from suspects. Forensic investigation is a tripartite arrangement which involves forensic science, the investigator, and the criminal justice system (CJS) that can support criminal and civil investigations. Forensic evidence can be classified in a number of different ways, such as trace evidence, impressions, DNA evidence, finger marks, and documents. The chapter cites the importance of taking samples from suspects, victims, and crime scenes in an effort to establish a connection between them.
Chapter
Initial Investigation, Arrest, Detention, and Disposal
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter looks into the law surrounding detention and arrest, and collecting evidence. Police officers are required to know the law and how to apply it in relation to detaining a person, carrying out an arrest, and taking a suspect into custody. Moreover, the exercise of powers should be consistent with the Human Rights Act 1998 and the provisions of the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984, and the associated Codes of Practice. The chapter explains that risk assessments must also be made when a person is detained, especially when there is a risk of self-harm. It cites the process of identification of suspects by witnesses.
Chapter
Intelligence
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter examines how criminal intelligence is used to support policing objectives. It looks into some of the components of intelligence gathering: sources, source handling, surveillance, research and development, and the intelligence ‘target package’. Covert surveillance can often help to establish information from criminals who go to some lengths to prevent knowledge about their activities from leaking. The chapter then discusses how police and other agencies are managing, processing, and using intelligence effectively and legally. It notes the National Intelligence Model (NIM) using intelligence to determine key priorities for policing. Moreover, the NIM is intended to be the engine room that drives the policing machine.
Chapter
Introducing the Handbook
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter provides an overview of how to use this book. It discusses some background information and advice on studying policing. The text is designed to support both trainee police officers and those learners who are preparing to join the police on a College of Policing-approved pre-join undergraduate degree. The chapter explains that the book offers extracts from legislation, circulars, and codes, which are often from Acts of Parliament. It also presents a glossary of terms and jargon used during training and the entirety of police careers and the structure of the text that include policing in context, qualifications and training, general procedures, specific incidents, investigation, and prosecution.
Chapter
Investigative Interviewing
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter discusses the process of investigative interviewing. Interviewing witnesses, victims, and suspects is a key part of the police investigation process, thus the modern approach to police interviewing in the UK is to see the interview as a means of seeking to establish the truth. Following the advent of the Police and Criminal Evidence (PACE) Act 1984, the police were obliged to routinely audio-record interviews of suspects. The chapter explains the PEACE process interview with witnesses and suspects. It notes how the by-product of a formal police interview is the intelligence interview, which is often used to gather criminal intelligence on the activities and lifestyle of the interviewee and others.
Chapter
Learning in Policing Contexts
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter covers the various ways in which learning occurs for police officers in degree programmes. The Police Education Qualification Framework (PEQF) stipulates that all new entrants to the profession must be degree educated or committed to a programme or an apprentice scheme to ensure consistent degree-level educational standards are applied in the policing profession. Meanwhile, some of the theories about learning are covered emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, which is an important part of being an evidence-based police officer. The chapter cites Evidence-Based Policing (EBP) as a means of using the best available evidence to inform and challenge policing policies, practices, and decisions. It then considers the models for reflective practice and reasoning.
Chapter
Policing
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter focuses on the concept of policing. It defines policing as a set of processes with specific social functions undertaken by a range of organizations instead of just the police. Policing is always changing and evolving in the way it is governed and held to account. Moreover, the vulnerability was recently recognized as significant in today's policing alongside the need to respond to global movements like the #MeToo movement. The chapter presents a diagram of a typical structure for the police force with 6,000-plus staff by enumerating several police ranks. It also considers the chronology of law enforcement and policing in the UK.
Chapter
Policing Anti-social Behaviour, Public Order, and Harassment
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter discusses the policing of anti-social behaviour, public order, and harassment. It considers some of the powers designed for the policing of social disorder in both private and public places. The police, local authorities and other partner agencies, such as the local Fire and Rescue Service and social housing landlords, share the responsibility for dealing with many forms of anti-social behaviour. The police are often first at the scene of civil disputes when such a situation escalates, and their role is usually to keep the peace. The chapter highlights the police's duty to protect citizens who want to exercise their right to demonstrate.
Chapter
Policing Local Communities
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter details the practices of policing local communities. It highlights the vital role of the police in fostering and maintaining public trust and confidence. The National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) considers the relationship between the police and the communities they serve as the bedrock of British policing. Meanwhile, neighbourhood policing has an established focus on reducing crime and the fear of crime and has also attempted to improve perceptions of police legitimacy by creating and maintaining public trust and confidence in the police. The chapter also considers how the demands on police resources have dramatically changed over the years.
Chapter
Prosecution and Court Procedures
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter looks into the role of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and aspects of the charging, prosecution, and court procedures. It explains that prosecution is often a lengthy and complex affair that takes two forms: written and criminal charges. The police are responsible for charging decisions in most cases, but charging decisions should be referred to the CPS for indictable-only cases and for more serious or sensitive offences likely to be heard at the Crown Court. The chapter notes the importance of preparing and submitting case files for prosecution. The course of events in both the magistrates' courts and the Crown Courts follow certain routines and patterns depending on the type of hearing.
Chapter
Protecting the Vulnerable from Violence, Abuse, and Neglect
Chapter
In Blackstone’s Handbook for Policing Students
Edited by Dominic Wood, Sarah Bradshaw, Tara Dickens, Julian Parker-McLeod, Francis Simpson, and Graham Weaver
Publication History:
- Published in print:
- 10 April 2022
- Published online:
- 23 August 2023
This chapter focuses on the public protection of vulnerable people subjected to violence, abuse, and neglect. It explores how the police can respond to these situations and describe the procedures and available powers. Since police often encounter vulnerable people in their work, an initial assessment and risk assessment will often be needed to help to establish the most appropriate course of action. Moreover, police must safeguard children under the Children Act 2004, especially when there are concerns for a child's well-being. The chapter looks into the UK's strategy to address modern slavery, which was an umbrella term that includes human trafficking and slavery, servitude, and forced or compulsory labour.
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