Operational risk, omissions and liability in policing

Rob Heaton; Robin Bryant; Steve Tong

Operational risk, omissions and liability in policing

Rob Heaton
, Robin Bryant
, Steve Tong

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Recent decades have seen the sensitisation of UK society towards harm and policing ‘failures’ become increasingly significant. This paper is intended to stimulate thought and debate by analysing some consequences of these developments. It reviews literature in relation to risk-taking in UK operational policing, identifying increased criminal and disciplinary liability, particularly in respect of alleged omissions. Hindsight is found to be a potentially powerful influence.

The article concludes that it is unlikely that public culture will be changed readily. However, police and other bodies should be able to reach a common approach towards operational risk, omissions and hindsight.

Original language	English
Journal	The Police Journal
Publication status	Published - 6 Jun 2018

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Cite this

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title = "Operational risk, omissions and liability in policing",

abstract = "Recent decades have seen the sensitisation of UK society towards harm and policing {\textquoteleft}failures{\textquoteright} become increasingly significant. This paper is intended to stimulate thought and debate by analysing some consequences of these developments. It reviews literature in relation to risk-taking in UK operational policing, identifying increased criminal and disciplinary liability, particularly in respect of alleged omissions. Hindsight is found to be a potentially powerful influence. The article concludes that it is unlikely that public culture will be changed readily. However, police and other bodies should be able to reach a common approach towards operational risk, omissions and hindsight.",

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AB - Recent decades have seen the sensitisation of UK society towards harm and policing ‘failures’ become increasingly significant. This paper is intended to stimulate thought and debate by analysing some consequences of these developments. It reviews literature in relation to risk-taking in UK operational policing, identifying increased criminal and disciplinary liability, particularly in respect of alleged omissions. Hindsight is found to be a potentially powerful influence. The article concludes that it is unlikely that public culture will be changed readily. However, police and other bodies should be able to reach a common approach towards operational risk, omissions and hindsight.

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M3 - Article

SN - 0032-258X

JO - The Police Journal

JF - The Police Journal

ER -

Operational risk, omissions and liability in policing

Abstract

UN SDGs

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