Atlantic Slave Trade - why was the slave trade abolished?
5 the police
1. TACKLING CRIME
As we have seen there are many different types of crime and crime affects
many different groups. But who tackles crime?
THE POLICE
The main role of the police in Scotland is to protect the public, keep law and
order, prevent crime and detect criminals.
To do this there are many different ‘types’ of police each with different
‘roles’; some which focus on very specific areas.
Try to name as many different
‘types’ of police as you can
You will have the opportunity to ask the Campus Police Officer some
questions about the role of the police. Try to think of at least 2 questions
which you could ask i.e. the role or the police, police equipment, crime etc.
2. 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
Crime and the Police
2
3. 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
3
4. 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
4
5. STRATEGIES TO REDUCE CRIME
ALCOHOL
Identifying the role of alcohol is difficult in crime, however it is estimated
78% of assaults and 88% of criminal damage is caused while the offender is
under the influence of alcohol.
Some Current Laws on Alcohol
Crime and Punishment (Scotland) Act, 1997
Police can confiscate alcohol from underage drinkers
Licensing (Scotland) Act from 2009
No proof of age = no sale
Must not serve drunk people
NEW Laws on Alcohol
Shops must have all alcohol displays in one place – not scattered
around the shop
Shops must have signs stating proof of age is required to buy alcohol
Ban on 2-for-1 or multi-buy deals i.e. 3 bottles of wine for £10
Tougher ‘proof of age’ rules in supermarkets (Challenge 25)
Suggested Changes to reduce alcohol abuse
The Scottish government has confirmed that it wants to set a
minimum price for alcohol (50p) per unit. This will make alcohol
more expensive, encouraging people to drink less.
Raising the minimum age to buy alcohol from 18 to 21.
Crime and the Police
5
6. Should the legal age for buying alcohol be raised to 21?
For
It would help to reduce anti-social
behaviour by making it more
difficult for younger teenagers to
buy alcohol
It would help to reduce alcoholism
and other effects of alcohol in
young people. Health issues
include liver problems.
It would help to reduce the number
of crimes fuelled by alcohol
(most crimes are committed by
people aged 16-18)
Against
It will increase illegal drinking.
Underage drinkers will move to street
corners / parks / house parties
Current level of underage drinking are
increasing, this would just create a
bigger problem as there would be
more people legally underage to drink
Shows a lack of trust in young people.
At 16 they are old enough to get
married but at 18 they would not be
considered legally mature enough to
drink alcohol
It would reduce the number of road European countries with LOWER drink
traffic accidents due to alcohol, as
ages have less of a problem. Some
young drivers aged 17-20 are the
argue that lowering the age and
most likely to drink drive
allowing social drinking like in Europe
may be a solution
ACTIVITIES
1.
Write the heading ‘Strategies to Reduce Crime - Alcohol’
2.
Explain, in detail, why some people think the age to buy alcohol
should be raised to 21. Remember to use PEET (this is because…)
3.
CLASS DEBATE: should alcohol only be sold to people age 21+?
Crime and the Police
6