Tim Higginson (Letters, 24 April) asserts the longstanding convention that police forces retain operational independence from both central government and police and crime commissioners (PCCs). In so doing, he makes a strong point that any attempt by the government to direct the police in operational matters would be gross political interference and legally unenforceable.
However, the presumption of operational independence has been challenged, which raises concerns about the potential for political intrusion. Although the doctrine of operational independence appears to have been firmly endorsed by the recent Police Foundation strategic review, it failed to mention a 2017 high court judgment that challenged this doctrine (R v Police and Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire Police).
This judgment, in making the PCC responsible for all operational policing activity, questions the tradition of constabulary independence. This clearly requires further testing in the courts. If the judgment is upheld, it would enable PCCs, 85% of whom are active Conservatives, to exercise political direction in operational policing matters.
Dr Roy Bailey
Crowthorne, Berkshire
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