Principled vs. Populist Policing

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My views on policing are public record, you can look them up if you search hard enough.

I wondered what your idea of policing an law enforcement is? What would be a good system?

Then I can reiterate my views and compare ideas.

One in which no one had any need or desire to commit crimes.

I'm increasingly becoming disenchanted with proactive policing of any kind, and am leaning towards a model more like the fire department, where the cops stay at the station unless called.

Ok but how would you achieve that practically? Through zero tolerance, more engagement with communities, de-escelatiosn?

Funny you mention that. "Bobbies on the beat" is a phrase used to describe a visible police presence in the UK. It was long thought to reduce crime. Recent research show it made no real differnce, except to the public perception of crime.

Perception of crime and actual crime are two different things. However people like to feel safer.

I want to get much more into what you lot think the role of the police is. Obviously it is law enforcement but expand on that.

Another way of putting is what you think is not the role of police/law enforcement. Real world examples would we good too. Then deduce the constraints and role within.

I've generally become much more open to public services being privately run for profit in the past year or so. Call it the anti-Corbyn effect. Policing is the last thing I'd want to be privatised though. Large private security firms seem to be worse across the board, unlike private schools or hospitals.

Ideally, I'd like a system where the police aren't needed. My first focus would be on the causes of crime, particularly the crime trap. I'd get rid of a large proportion of criminal offences by making all drugs legally available.

In terms of speech, I'd limit them to threats and other long-established breaches of free speech. I'd drastically raise the requirements for defamation to match American standards. No more prosecuting people for poor-taste Tweets. No punishing groups for the actions of a few (e.g. kettling). Harsh punishments for inappropriate use of violence. Compulsory bodycams for uniformed officers. Non-uniformed (non-bodycammed) officers limited to investigations of serious organised crimes where secrecy is paramount.

I'd still have police out and about on occasions when crimes are likely to be committed, like large public gatherings, certain sporting events, and Saturday nights in town centres. I'd also have them near major transport centres to double as advisors for lost people.

But I'd very much go for principled, liberal, assumption-of-innocence policing.

You think the NHS should be privatized due to Corbyn? Are you sure you're not getting the wrong Jeremy here?