As law and order issues such as knife and gun crime, the threat of terrorism, young offenders and anti-social behaviour continue to move up the political agenda, so the political pressures on the police service and its independence have increased. Is there a thinning blue line? What’s the current state of play in relation to police independence and the Rule of Law?
This year’s John Harris Memorial Lecture – organised by the Police Foundation – will address these issues head-on. The Keynote speaker is Liberty director Shami Chakrabarti, who will examine the importance of maintaining police independence in the face of such pressures. The lecture begins at 6.00 pm within The Drapers’ Hall, London.
Speaking this week amid the heated debate surrounding the Government’s plans to detain suspected terrorists for 42 days, Shami told info4security: “Rarely does a day go by without a new political proposal for greater ‘accountability’ on the one hand, or a serving police officer advocating further powers on the other, yet umpteen new criminal offences, police powers and other broad laws from Parliament have been matched by targets, indicators and circulars from the Government. In the lecture I will examine the role of policing in a democratic constitution, and argue that the service should serve the rule of law rather than the interests of the executive. Might it not be possible for professional police discretion and fundamental rights and freedoms to march hand in hand?”
History of The John Harris Memorial Lecture
The inaugural John Harris Memorial Lecture was given in 1983 by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Since then there has been a long line of distinguished speakers who have found the annual occasion to be an ideal platform for speaking out in important issues of the day.
Previous speakers have included Sir Kenneth Newman, Douglas Hurd, Michael Howard, Tony Blair, Sir Paul Condon, Jack Straw, Lord John Stevens, David Blunkett, Sir Chris Fox, David Cameron and, in 2007, Lord Patten of Barnes.
In addition to Shami Chakrabarti, others speakers at the 2008 event include Sir Peter Walters (president of The Police Foundation), John Graham (director) and Sir John Chilcot, chairman of the Trustees.
Doors to The Drapers’ Hall open at 5.00 pm. There will be a reception following the main lecture, with the event concluding at 7.45 pm.
About The Police Foundation
The Police Foundation is the country’s only independent charity focused on responding to public concerns about policing, informing their understanding of policing issues and challenging both the police service and the Government to improve standards of policing for the benefit of all citizens.
The Police Foundation does so by promoting debate on policing and police reform, providing commentary, knowledge and insight on important issues and contemporary developments and turning new ideas into policy and practice.
Admittance to the 2008 John Harris Memorial Lecture
Admittance will be by invitation only. For details contact The Police Foundation, First Floor, Park Place, 12 Lawn Lane, London SW8 1UD (telephone 0207 582 3744, fax: 0207 587 0671). Alternatively, contact Sue Roberts via e-mail ([email protected])
