It takes the average reader 3 hours and 30 minutes to read Controlling the Constable by Tony Jefferson
Assuming a reading speed of 250 words per minute. Learn more
In the early 1980s, the question of how far the police should be accountable for their actions had become extremely vexed. The impending new Police Bill, the Scarman report and the pressure from many sides for an independent complaints machinery hinged on this issue, and a careful review of the problem was badly needed. The Cobden Trust commissioned Tony Jefferson and Roger Grimshaw to research into the matter, and Controlling the Constable, originally published in 1984, is the result of their findings. The authors examine closely the concept of constabulary independence at the time. They look at the relevant legal history and at how this independence was used by chief constables from day to day. On this basis, they then re-assess two of the most controversial policing operations of modern times – Brixton prior to the 1981 Riots and Southall on 23 April 1979, a day which resulted in hundreds of arrests and the death of Blair Peach. They conclude that the concept embodies a fundamental incoherence: the reliance on the law to guide the chief constable, and the failure of the law to do so. They show that all the current proposals for reform, which entailed greater emphasis on the democratic system as a guide, could result in similar incoherence. A new approach to the conflict between legal authority and democratic authority was urgently needed. Controlling the Constable points the way to the only satisfactory resolution – and this included a concept of justice which was coherent and which could serve as a real guide for the chief constable in using his discretion. The book was controversial, but quite clear on one point: however independent any new complaints procedure may become, and however much committees were ‘consulted’ by chief constables via ‘Scarman-type’ liaison committees, until the problem was tackled on this fundamental level, there could be no significant change in police behaviour.
Controlling the Constable by Tony Jefferson is 206 pages long, and a total of 52,736 words.
This makes it 70% the length of the average book. It also has 64% more words than the average book.
The average oral reading speed is 183 words per minute. This means it takes 4 hours and 48 minutes to read Controlling the Constable aloud.
Controlling the Constable is suitable for students ages 12 and up.
Note that there may be other factors that effect this rating besides length that are not factored in on this page. This may include things like complex language or sensitive topics not suitable for students of certain ages.
When deciding what to show young students always use your best judgement and consult a professional.
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