Association of Chief Police Officers
Encyclopedia
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO, official title The Association of Chief Police Officers of England, Wales and Northern Ireland), established in 1948, is a private limited company that leads the development of policing practice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
ACPO provides a forum for chief police officers to share ideas and coordinates the strategic operational response and advises government in matters such as terrorist attacks and civil emergencies. ACPO coordinates national police operations, major investigations, cross border policing, joint law enforcement task forces. ACPO designates Senior Investigative Officers for major investigations and appoints officers to head ACPO units specialising in various areas of policing and crime reduction.
Scotland has eight forces and they are similarly coordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
.
ACPO is currently led by Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde
QPM
who was, until 2009, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
. He was elected as president by fellow members of ACPO in April 2009.
It is funded by Home Office
grants, profits from commercial activities and contributions from the 44 UK police authorities.
ACPO continues to provide a forum for chief officers across 44 local police forces and 13 national areas across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and provides local forces with agreed national policies and guidelines.
In 1997 ACPO was incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee
. As a private company, ACPO does not have to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. It is not a staff association, the staff association for senior police officers being a separate body, the Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA).
The change in structure from a "band of volunteers" to a limited company allowed the organisation to employ staff, enter into contracts for accommodation and publish accounts. However, the current president has stated that he is uncomfortable with the current limited company arrangement and that he is willing to debate alternative structures.
A number of options have recently been considered for the status of ACPO, including charitable status, but that particular option has been discounted.
Chief Constables and Commissioners are responsible for the direction and control of policing in their force areas. Although a national body and recognized by Government for consultation, ACPO has no powers of its own, nor has any mandate to instruct chief officers. However, the organisation allows chief officers to form a national policy rather than replicate the work in each of their forces. For example, in 1981, following riots in twenty-seven British cities, including the 1980 St. Pauls riot and the 1981 Brixton riot, ACPO began preparation of the Public Order Manual of Tactical Operations and Related Matters. Police forces began training in its tactics late in 1983.
ACPO is composed of the chief police officer
s of the 44 police forces in England & Wales and Northern Ireland
, the Deputy Chief Constable
and Assistant Chief Constable
of 42 of those forces and the Deputy Commissioner
, Assistant Commissioner
, Deputy Assistant Commissioner
and Commander
s of the remaining two - the Metropolitan Police
and City of London Police
. Certain senior non-police staff and senior members of national police agencies and certain other specialised and non-geographical forces in the UK, the Isle of Man
and the Channel Islands
are also members.
As of March 2010 there are 349 members of ACPO. The membership elects a full time President, who holds the office of Chief Constable under the Police Reform Act 2002.
It also issues police certificates, for a fee, needed to obtain immigration visas for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA.
(AVCIS) is funded by the Home Office and managed by ACPO, and is responsible for combating organised vehicle crime and the use of vehicles in crime.
is funded by, and reports to, ACPO and advises the British government on its counter terrorism strategy.
(NETCU) reports to ACPO's Terrorism & Allied Matters (TAM) committee, and coordinates police tactics against extremist
groups.
It employs three full time staff, with other staff seconded to it as needed and is funded by contributions from each of the police forces.
for £70 despite it costing them only 60p to access it, marketing "police approval" logos to firms selling anti-theft devices and operating a separate private firm offering training to speed camera operators.
articles with regards the activities and accusations of PC Mark Kennedy of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit
within the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit, and the collapse of the subsequent trial of six activists, a number of initiatives and changes were announced:
, following the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights
in S and Marper v United Kingdom.
ACPO provides a forum for chief police officers to share ideas and coordinates the strategic operational response and advises government in matters such as terrorist attacks and civil emergencies. ACPO coordinates national police operations, major investigations, cross border policing, joint law enforcement task forces. ACPO designates Senior Investigative Officers for major investigations and appoints officers to head ACPO units specialising in various areas of policing and crime reduction.
Scotland has eight forces and they are similarly coordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland
The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland is the collective organisation of Chief Constables, Deputy Chief Constables and Assistant Chief Constables from the eight Police forces in Scotland....
.
ACPO is currently led by Chief Constable Sir Hugh Orde
Hugh Orde
Sir Hugh Stephen Roden Orde, OBE, QPM is the current President of the Association of Chief Police Officers, representing the 44 police forces of England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Between 2002-2009 he was the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland .Sir Hugh joined London's...
QPM
Queen's Police Medal
The Queen's Police Medal is awarded to police officers in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth for gallantry or distinguished service. Recipients may use the post-nominal letters "QPM", although the right to use these was only granted officially on 20 July 1969...
who was, until 2009, the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
. He was elected as president by fellow members of ACPO in April 2009.
It is funded by Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
grants, profits from commercial activities and contributions from the 44 UK police authorities.
Background
UK policing sprang from local communities in the 1800s. Since the origins of policing, chief officers have regularly associated to discuss and share policing issues. Although ACPO as now recognised was formed in 1948, records of prior bodies go back to the early 1900s. The UK retains a decentralised model of policing based around the settlement which emerged from the Royal Commission on the work of the Police in 1962.ACPO continues to provide a forum for chief officers across 44 local police forces and 13 national areas across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and provides local forces with agreed national policies and guidelines.
Constitutional status
Over time, demands for coordination across the police service have increased as society has changed, for example to take account of new developments in international terrorism and organised crime, or roles such as monitoring offenders on release from prison or working with young people to divert them from crime.In 1997 ACPO was incorporated as a private company limited by guarantee
Company limited by guarantee
In British and Irish company law, a private company limited by guarantee is an alternative type of corporation used primarily for non-profit organisations that require legal personality. A guarantee company does not usually have a share capital or shareholders, but instead has members who act as...
. As a private company, ACPO does not have to comply with the Freedom of Information Act. It is not a staff association, the staff association for senior police officers being a separate body, the Chief Police Officers Staff Association (CPOSA).
The change in structure from a "band of volunteers" to a limited company allowed the organisation to employ staff, enter into contracts for accommodation and publish accounts. However, the current president has stated that he is uncomfortable with the current limited company arrangement and that he is willing to debate alternative structures.
A number of options have recently been considered for the status of ACPO, including charitable status, but that particular option has been discounted.
Chief Constables and Commissioners are responsible for the direction and control of policing in their force areas. Although a national body and recognized by Government for consultation, ACPO has no powers of its own, nor has any mandate to instruct chief officers. However, the organisation allows chief officers to form a national policy rather than replicate the work in each of their forces. For example, in 1981, following riots in twenty-seven British cities, including the 1980 St. Pauls riot and the 1981 Brixton riot, ACPO began preparation of the Public Order Manual of Tactical Operations and Related Matters. Police forces began training in its tactics late in 1983.
Membership
ACPO is not a staff association. It acts for the police service, not its members. The separate Chief Police Officers Staff Association acts for chief officers.ACPO is composed of the chief police officer
Chief police officer
Chief police officer is a phrase used in the United Kingdom to describe the position held by the most senior police officer in a police force. It refers to either one of the 53 Chief Constables, the Commissioner of the City of London Police or the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police. Such...
s of the 44 police forces in England & Wales and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, the Deputy Chief Constable
Deputy Chief Constable
Deputy chief constable is the second highest rank in all territorial police forces in the United Kingdom , as well as the British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and Civil Nuclear...
and Assistant Chief Constable
Assistant Chief Constable
Assistant chief constable is the third highest rank in all British territorial police forces , as well as the British Transport Police, Ministry of Defence Police and...
of 42 of those forces and the Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner
A deputy commissioner is a police or administrative official in many different countries.-Australia:In all Australian police forces, deputy commissioner is the rank directly below that of commissioner and senior to the rank of assistant commissioner except in the New South Wales Police Force, where...
, Assistant Commissioner
Assistant Commissioner
Assistant commissioner is a rank used in many police forces across the globe. It is also a rank used in revenue administrations in many countries.-Australia:...
, Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Deputy assistant commissioner is a rank in London's Metropolitan Police Service between assistant commissioner and commander. It is equivalent to deputy chief constable in other British police forces and wears the same insignia: a pip above crossed tipstaves within a wreath.The rank was introduced...
and Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
s of the remaining two - the Metropolitan Police
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
and City of London Police
City of London Police
The City of London Police is the territorial police force responsible for law enforcement within the City of London, England, including the Middle and Inner Temple. The service responsible for law enforcement within the rest of Greater London is the Metropolitan Police Service, a separate...
. Certain senior non-police staff and senior members of national police agencies and certain other specialised and non-geographical forces in the UK, the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
and the Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
are also members.
As of March 2010 there are 349 members of ACPO. The membership elects a full time President, who holds the office of Chief Constable under the Police Reform Act 2002.
ACPO bodies
ACPO is responsible for several ancillary bodies, which it either funds or which receive Home Office funding but which report to ACPO:ACPO Criminal Records Office
The ACPO Criminal Records Office (ACRO) was set up in 2006 in response to a perceived gap in the police service's ability to manage criminal records and in particular to improve links to biometric data. The aim of ACRO is to provide operational support relating to criminal records and associated biometric data, including DNA and fingerprint recognition.It also issues police certificates, for a fee, needed to obtain immigration visas for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA.
ACPO Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service
The Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence ServiceAssociation of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service
The Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service is a British police unit run by the Association of Chief Police Officers and responsible for combating organised vehicle crime and the use of vehicles in crime...
(AVCIS) is funded by the Home Office and managed by ACPO, and is responsible for combating organised vehicle crime and the use of vehicles in crime.
National Community Tension Team
The National Community Tension Team (NCTT) is an ACPO body which monitors religious, racial or other tensions within communities, and provides liaison between police forces and community organisations.National Counter Terrorism Security Office
The National Counter Terrorism Security OfficeNational Counter Terrorism Security Office
The National Counter Terrorism Security Office is not a police organization. It is funded by, and reports to, the Association of Chief Police Officers, which advises the British government on its counter terrorism strategy....
is funded by, and reports to, ACPO and advises the British government on its counter terrorism strategy.
National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit
The National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination UnitNational Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit
The National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit is a British police organization funded by, and reporting to, the Association of Chief Police Officers that coordinates police action against groups in the United Kingdom it describes as extremist. As of April 2007, it was headed by...
(NETCU) reports to ACPO's Terrorism & Allied Matters (TAM) committee, and coordinates police tactics against extremist
Extremism
Extremism is any ideology or political act far outside the perceived political center of a society; or otherwise claimed to violate common moral standards...
groups.
Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre
ACPO is responsible for coordinating the national mobilisation of police resources at times of national need through the Police National Information and Co-ordination Centre (PNICC), which it set up in 2003. This includes ensuring policing resilience during major events such as emergency response to serious flooding or the investigation of a terrorist attack. PNICC sits alongside the government in COBR (Cabinet Office Briefing Room) to advise on national issues. PNICC also handles support to overseas crises involving UK nationals.It employs three full time staff, with other staff seconded to it as needed and is funded by contributions from each of the police forces.
Freedom of information
ACPO had been criticised as being unaccountable to Parliament or the public by virtue of its limited company status. In October 2009 Sir Hugh Orde stated that ACPO would be "more than happy" to be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. On 30 March 2010, the Ministry of Justice announced that ACPO would be included under the FOI Act from October 2011. In its response, the organisation stated that "Although organisations cannot voluntarily comply with the Act, a large proportion of ACPO's work is public already or available under FOI through any police force". In January 2011 its website still said it: "is unable to do is to respond to requests for information under the Act. The organisation is too small and there are too few members of staff to be able to conduct the necessary research and to compile the responses." From November 2011 however, FOI requests can be made to ACPO.Confidential Intelligence Unit
In February 2009, the Mail on Sunday highlighted the involvement of ACPO in setting up the "Confidential Intelligence Unit" as a specialised unit to spy on Left-wing and Right-wing political groups throughout the UK.Commercial activities
The February 2009 Mail on Sunday investigation also highlighted other activities of the ACPO including selling information from the Police National ComputerPolice National Computer
The Police National Computer is a computer system used extensively by law enforcement organisations across the United Kingdom. It went live in 1974 and now consists of several databases available 24 hours a day, giving access to information of national and local significance.From October 2009, the...
for £70 despite it costing them only 60p to access it, marketing "police approval" logos to firms selling anti-theft devices and operating a separate private firm offering training to speed camera operators.
Apartments
The organisation was criticised in February 2010 for spending £1.6M per year from government anti-terrorist funding grants on renting up to 80 apartments in the centre of London which were reported as being empty most of the time. The organisation responded that it has reviewed this policy and is reducing the number of apartments.Undercover activities
As a result of The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
articles with regards the activities and accusations of PC Mark Kennedy of the National Public Order Intelligence Unit
National Public Order Intelligence Unit
The National Public Order Intelligence Unit is a United Kingdom police intelligence unit set up in 1999 to track green activists and public demonstrations.-History:...
within the National Extremism Tactical Co-ordination Unit, and the collapse of the subsequent trial of six activists, a number of initiatives and changes were announced:
- Acknowledging that "something had gone very wrong" in the Kennedy case to the Home Affairs Select CommitteeHome Affairs Select CommitteeThe Home Affairs Select Committee is a Committee of the House of Commons in the Parliament of the United Kingdom.-Remit:The Home Affairs Committee is one of the House of Commons Select Committees related to government departments: its terms of reference are to examine "the expenditure,...
, Home Office minister Nick HerbertNick HerbertNicholas Le Quesne "Nick" Herbert is a British Conservative Party politician and the Member of Parliament for Arundel and South Downs...
stated that ACPO would lose control of three teams involved in tackling domestic extremism. Herbert announced that the units would be transferred to the Metropolitan Police, with acting commissioner Tim GodwinTim GodwinTimothy John "Tim" Godwin, OBE, QPM is a senior British police officer, currently the Deputy Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police Service...
confirming that this would occur at the earliest possible timescale. - Her Majesty's Inspectorate of ConstabularyHer Majesty's Inspectorate of ConstabularyHer Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary for Scotland in the United Kingdom have statutory responsibility for the inspection of police forces.-England and Wales:...
announced that Bernard Hogan-HoweBernard Hogan-HoweBernard Hogan-Howe, QPM is the present Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis . He was previously Chief Constable of Merseyside Police, an Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, and more recently one of Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary.On 18 July 2011, the Home Secretary...
would lead an investigation into ACPO, to assess whether undercover operations had been "authorised in accordance with law" and "proportionate". - The Association of Police Authorities said it was ending its annual £850,000 annual grant to ACPO
DNA database
ACPO has supervised the creation of one of the world's largest per capita DNA databases, containing the DNA profiles of more than one million innocent people. ACPO's guidelines that these profiles should only be deleted in "exceptional circumstances" were found to be unlawful by the UK Supreme Court in May 2011. They were found to be incompatible with the European Convention on Human RightsEuropean Convention on Human Rights
The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is an international treaty to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms in Europe. Drafted in 1950 by the then newly formed Council of Europe, the convention entered into force on 3 September 1953...
, following the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights
European Court of Human Rights
The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg is a supra-national court established by the European Convention on Human Rights and hears complaints that a contracting state has violated the human rights enshrined in the Convention and its protocols. Complaints can be brought by individuals or...
in S and Marper v United Kingdom.