Policing and Democracy

The Conservative Party has made proposals for having an elected representative to work alongside Police Chiefs. Would Interactive Democracy have the same effect?

In the UK every area has a Police Authority made up of elected councilors and others, who's role is to hold the Chief Police Officer to account. The Home Secretary may also bring power to bear. Interactive Democracy provides additional channels between the public, politicians and police.

Using Interactive Democracy, members of the local community could petition the Police Authority who would then need to address the issue concerned. And the Police Authorities could use ID to ask the community about policing issues. For example, there may be referendums about local licensing laws, the policing of town centers, the proliferation of cctv, etc. etc.

The point is that Interactive Democracy could enhance the communities connection with the police force without radically altering the long standing triumvirate of Police Chief, Police Authority and Home Secretary.