Sussex Police

Infobox UK Police
name= Sussex Police
area= East Sussex, West Sussex, City of Brighton and Hove
start= 1967 (merger)
population= 1.5 million
size= 3,783
officers= 3,094
title= Chief Constable
head= Martin Richards
divname= Divisions
divno= 5
stations= 33
HQ= Lewes

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web= http://www.sussex.police.uk/

Sussex Police is the Home Office police force responsible for policing East Sussex, West Sussex and City of Brighton and Hove in southern England.

History

There were originally separate forces for East and West Sussex, along with the boroughs of Brighton, Hastings and Eastbourne. These forces were temporarily merged during the Second World War, from 1943 to 1947. The current amalgamated forces dates from January 1, 1968. [ [http://www.knowledgenetwork.gov.uk/HO/CircularsOld.nsf/0/E339E6817A8A83C080256D7300428038/$file/Home%20Office%20Circular%20008%20-%201968.pdf] Dead link|date=March 2008]

Today

For policing purposes, Sussex is divided into four geographical Basic Command Units (BCUs) known locally as Divisions, each Division being led by a Chief Superintendent. Divisions are divided into districts, each led by a Chief Inspector, providing a local identify for policing. A fifth BCU provides policing for Gatwick Airport.

Districts are further divided into Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs), each led by an Inspector. An initiative phased in during the last couple of years sees the introduction of Neighbourhood Specialist Teams (NSTs). The NSTs are responsible for the bulk of the community work undertaken in an area, and look to deal with long term local issues including Anti-Social Behaviour. Their role stems from the traditional view of 'bobbies on the beat' with Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) providing a high visibility profile on the street, albeit with limited policing powers.

Specialist Units

Roads Policing Department

The Sussex Police Roads Policing Department patrol the many roads in Sussex Including the countys motorway the M23 and the three big A-roads the A27, A23 and the A259. They use fully marked BMW 530d Touring, BMW X5's and still have some Mercedes-Benz E-class estates in service. They also have Ford Galaxys for Forensic Collision Investigation these are based at Shoreham Police Station. They also use unmarked Generation 8 & 9 Lancer Evolution's, Octavia VRS's as part of a join operation between Kent Police, Surrey Police and Hampshire Constabulary called [http://www.operationcrackdown.org Operation Crackdown]

ussex Police Authority

Sussex Police Authority has 9 councillors (drawn from the three councils), 3 justices of the peace, and 5 independent members.

ussex Police Museum

The Sussex Police Museum in Brighton offers visitors a unique insight into the history of Sussex Police.

Opened on 4th May, 2005 by the The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Brighton & Hove. The museum is open to the public on a daily basis, and is not only educational but entertaining also.

The museum, which houses a large collection of police memorabilia, is situated in the old Brighton borough police station in the basement of the old Town Hall, Bartholomew Square, Brighton.The Sussex Constabular were at the centre of numerous miscarriages of justice and the murder of a man wanted on a minor charge whilst he was asleep.

Police Cadets

Sussex Police, Like many other forces have Police Cadets. Members of the VCC (Volunteer Cadet Corps) meet every Wednesday at Police Stations across Sussex. They have an Identifiable Uniform which consists of:

Standard Issue Police Shirt and TieStandard Issue TrousersEpaulet saying "CADET" and a visible rank designation (normally chevrons).Standard Issue Police Cap with a Blue Band and Sussex Police Crest saying 'SUSSEX VCC'

Cadets learn many police skills as well as a broader syllabus including community projects and the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

Proposed merger with Surrey Police

Proposals had been made by the Home Secretary on March 20, 2006 to merge the force with Surrey Police forming a strategic police force for the area. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/4825524.stm BBC NEWS | Politics | Police forces 'to be cut to 24' ] ] The plans were effectively abandoned by the Home Office in July 2006. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/5173312.stm BBC NEWS | England | Southern Counties | Forces happy at 'no merger' news ] ]

Criticism of Sussex Police

Sussex Police has established itself as one of the most disreputable in the UK.

In recent years its history of malpractice has seen the resignation of its Chief Constable over the shooting of an unarmed member of the public, the collusion with local arms company ITT/EDO MBM to try and ban the right to protest against the war in Iraq, the abuse of the Terrorism Act to arrest an 80 year old man for wearing a anti-Tony Blair T-Shirt, and numerous incidents of officers being arrested and convicted of criminal offences.

In 2008 the Independent Police Complaints Commission reported an increase of filed complaints against Sussex Police of 90% up on the figure for 2007. This is the highest percentage increase of complaints against any police force in the UK.

ee also

*Policing in the United Kingdom
*List of police forces in the United Kingdom

References

External links

* [http://www.sussex.police.uk/ Sussex Police]
* [http://www.sussexpoliceauthority.gov.uk/ Sussex Police Authority]
* [http://www.hiddenhorsham.co.uk/25/25.htm/ Sussex Police Headquarters] when it was based in Horsham between 1894 and 1973