Text 1 The British Police

The British police officer is a well-known figure to anyone who has visited Britain or who has seen British films. Policemen are to be seen in towns and cities keeping law and order, either walking in pairs down the streets or driving specially marked police cars.

In the past the popular nickname of the London policeman "bobby" is a tribute to Sir Robert Peel (the founder of the police force), whose Christian name Bob attached itself to members of the force. Sir Robert Peel reorganised the London police in 1829. Nowadays, common nicknames include "the cops", "the fuzz", "the pigs".

Few people realize that the police in Britain are organized very differently from many other countries.

The main goals of policing are to prevent crime and disorder, preserve peace, apprehend offenders, recover lost or stolen property, and protect life, property, and personal liberties.

The names of the ranks in the English police system are as follows: the patrolman is called a constable, then follow sergeant (2 grades), inspector (2 grades), and superintendent (2 grades). All higher officers come from these ranks.

Each of the 52 police forces has its own Criminal Investigation Department. The Criminal Investigation Department consists of about 1,500 detectives, of which 1,300 do ordinary detective work. The remaining 200 detectives work in the Special Branch, which in many respects is national first, because it has a staff at every airport and seaport, and secondly, because it is charged with protecting very important persons (VIPs) and dealing with actions which may be regarded as subversive to the state.

Other branches of the CID which operate on a nation wide scale are as follows:

1. The criminal record office, which is the only office in the country that maintains a central record of all criminals.

2. The fingerprint department, which by status, maintains all fingerprint records.

3. The flying squad*, which is used all over the country by chief constables when necessary.

Although the CID usually operates on a nation wide scale it can go to the help of a provincial police force only if it is invited. In serious cases it is usually invited.

Notes:

flying squad

– "летучий отряд"

Task 1. Answer the questions on the text.

1. Why was "bobby" the popular nickname of the London policeman?

2. What are the main duties of the regular police forces?

3. What is the total strength of the Criminal Investigation Department?

4. What are the functions of the Special Branch?

5. What other branches operating on a nation wide scale does the CID consist of?

6. Can the CID usually go to the help of a provincial police force?

Task 2. Complete the following sentences.

1. In Britain policemen may be seen everywhere keeping … .

2. At present common nicknames of the British police include … .

3. The ranks in the English police system are as follows: first comes a constable, then … .

4. The criminal record office of the CID maintains … .

5. The fingerprint department maintains … .

6. The flying squad is used … .