1. POLICE DEPARTMENTS
We know there are lots of different types of crime. As such
there is not only one type of police officer; there are many
police departments, each of which has a specific role in tackling crime.
If you go to Glasgow to go to a concert the chances
are you might see many of these different types of
police. You may walk past the Community Police,
drive past the Traffic Police, see the Police Helicopter over the concert
venue and have to avoid the Mounted Police (on horses). And these are only
some of the different departments.
Some different sections of the Police are described below.
How many of them have you ever seen or had contact with?
Community Police
Local police that work in work specific area
Dog Branch
Use dogs to search for drugs, bombs, etc.
Air Support Unit
Helicopter which helps police from the air
C.I.D.
Investigate specific crimes such as murder or theft
Forensics
Look for clues at crime scenes e.g. fingerprints
Traffic Police
Responsible for keeping roads safe and well run
Water Search Unit
Search for anything found in water e.g. a body

2. THE ROLE OF THE POLICE
On April 1st 2013 Scotland’s eight police forces joined into a single police
force i.e. from Strathclyde Police to Police Scotland.
The main role as we have seen is to tackle crime effectively. In order to
tackle crime, the police have a number of powers:
Crime and the Police
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3. However!
The Role of The police
Police duties include the power to
detain or arrest and charge
anyone who breaks the law
In order to maintain law and
Patrol
order, as well as protect the
public and property the police
patrol local areas
Give evidence Part of the duties of the police is
to gather evidence of crime and
wrongdoing.
Respond to Police are trained to deal with a
emergencies wide range of situations and have
a duty to respond.
Arrest
For example the police can arrest
someone for assault
For example the police can patrol
on foot or in police cars; called
mobile patrol
For example the police have to
present evidence in court and are
seen as reliable witnesses.
For example the police have to
respond to road accidents, fights
and robberies.
ACTIVITIES
1.
Take the heading ‘The Role of the Police’
2.
Describe, in detail, two roles of the police.
Crime and the Police
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4. POLICING STRATEGIES
As well as having different departments, the police use various strategies to
stop crime. A strategy is when the Police have a plan to target a specific type
of crime, making it less likely to occur.
Community Policing
Community Policing is the most common Police strategy. This is when police
officers work in the same area and get to know people e.g. by attending
local events, visiting community centres and so on. This helps cut crime
because the more people see and trust the police, the more likely they are
to speak to them about problems. This might include letting them know
about suspicious events in the local area.
Publicity campaigns
The Police also organise publicity campaigns to make people aware that
some of their actions are illegal and can be punished. This might involve
adverts in newspapers or on the TV. If people see this they may be less likely
to commit the crime. For example, Strathclyde Police ran a campaign to stop
domestic abuse (when people threaten or hurt family members).
Crime and the Police
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5. Violence Reduction Unit
Scotland has a big problem with young men being killed by knives. To stop
this Strathclyde Police set up a Violence Reduction Unit. This works
specifically on stopping knife and gang crime. It does this by having
specially-trained police work with the gangs, arrange education events in
schools and work with local groups to identify trouble before it starts.
Stop underage drinking
One of the major causes of crime and complaints to the Police is underage
people drinking. This causes crime such as assault and vandalism. The police
use different methods to stop this. These include sending underage young
people to buy alcohol to check which shops sell it and having each shop in
certain areas stamp their alcohol bottles so the police can check where any
underage drinker is being served.
ACTIVITIES
1. Choose a type of crime common in your local community. Write
your own strategy for how the police could deal with this. Use the
report structure your teacher will show you.
2. Write two PEEL paragraphs where you describe two different
strategies used to tackle crime.
Crime and the Police
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