Police vs Constabulary

[irish]

Can someone explain to me either in function or organizationally the difference between Police and Constabulary forces in the U.K? Or is there any difference?

Thanks
Jack

[badger123]

They are one and the same thing.

A Police Force has Constables in it (or in other words Policemen/women)

Some forces are called Police Forces, others are called Constabulary but not sure why some have retained the name and others have changed to Police Force

http://www.police.uk/forces/

I'm sure someone else will be able to give a better explanation.

Ivan

[altcar73]

Originally Posted by irish

Can someone explain to me the difference in either function or organizationaly the difference between Police and Constabulary forces in the U.K? Or is there any difference?

Thanks
Jack

Jack,

I spent a total of 35 years in one Constabulary and two police forces and as the previous member has said, there is no difference organisationally or in terms of responsibility. There has been a trend of late to drop the word "Constabulary" in favour of "Police" in the force title in some areas. The reason allegedly is to ensure that those residents of the UK who do not have English as their first language will understand the word "Police" but are less likely to understand "Constabulary". Historically, a body of Constables was known as a Constabulary and indeed that is still the case today. It's just that some have always used the word "Police" (for example the Metropolitan Police in London) and some have always used the word Constabulary (for example the Lancashire Constabulary in the north west of England).

Dave.

[sailorbear]

A number of friends of mine ,who are all serving police officers tell me it is "Police Service" nowadays, not "Police Force" as force seems to infer they will "Enforce" something which is not very politically correct in the touchy feely , don't upset the criminals, modern society of ours!

[irish]

Thank You Gentleman, that helps. Reason for the question is that I have a number of U.K. Police cap badges which have used both titles and it had confused me. As stated in Dave's response it appears to be a distinction without difference.
Best
Jack

[altcar73]

Originally Posted by sailorbear

A number of friends of mine ,who are all serving police officers tell me it is "Police Service" nowadays, not "Police Force" as force seems to infer they will "Enforce" something which is not very politically correct in the touchy feely , don't upset the criminals, modern society of ours!

There are only two police forces in the UK that use the word "Police Service". The Metropolitan Police use the word "Service" as part of their corporate image but not on its insignia. The other is the "Police Service of Northern Ireland" who use the title on everything including their insignia. I'm not aware that any of the others do so.

Dave.

[Phil2M]

I have seen local authority correspondence which refers to 'the Essex Police Service'

[Traist]

We have "Service" in South Africa. I think we would be better off with "Force" . I am not inclined to be too politically correct when it comes to criminals.

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by altcar73

There are only two police forces in the UK that use the word "Police Service". The Metropolitan Police use the word "Service" as part of their corporate image but not on its insignia. The other is the "Police Service of Northern Ireland" who use the title on everything including their insignia. I'm not aware that any of the others do so.

Dave.

That's interesting and as I'm not a policeman I can only say what constables, specials and PCSO's of the Sussex Police and Hampshire Constabulary tell me! However I have had an interest in the police for a long time and certainly since the 1990's I have only ever seen the word Police Service on recruitment and publicity literature and never the word Police Force?

Tony

[Mike_2817]

Here in North Yorkshire we have 'North Yorkshire Police' Not a Constabulary or Force or Service - simply POLICE

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

Here in North Yorkshire we have 'North Yorkshire Police' Not a Constabulary or Force or Service - simply POLICE

And as a description of an individual police it would be right but the point being made is that the police, as a whole nation wide ,when referred to officially is now the Police Service and not Police Force as the word "Force" is considered non PC! In a similar way as we now have the Fire & Rescue Service and not Fire Brigade (with the notable exception of the London Fire Brigade) This is because Fire & Rescue describes their role better and service because they are a public service, the word Brigade being thought to be too militaristic for the modern service!

[altcar73]

Originally Posted by sailorbear

And as a description of an individual police it would be right but the point being made is that the police, as a whole nation wide ,when referred to officially is now the Police Service and not Police Force as the word "Force" is considered non PC! In a similar way as we now have the Fire & Rescue Service and not Fire Brigade (with the notable exception of the London Fire Brigade) This is because Fire & Rescue describes their role better and service because they are a public service, the word Brigade being thought to be too militaristic for the modern service!

I am sorry but you are quite wrong. I suggest that you visit your local library and ask to see a copy of the "Police & Constabulary Almanac" for the current year. It lists the names, addresses etc of all police forces in the UK. It shows the correct "official" name for each force. You will not find the word "Service" used in the title except as I've outlined previously. As an aside, what Mike says about North Yorkshire Police is correct. Furthermore, the term "Police Force" is used frequently throughout various Acts of Parliament some of which are very recently enacted. I can tell you that when a police officer makes oath and gives evidence he will state..........."I am..............a Constable of the Hampshire Constabulary (or whatever). The word "service" is not mentioned. It is a "buzz word" and nothing more except where it has been formally adopted by a particular force as part of its title.

Dave.

[sailorbear]

Originally Posted by altcar73

I am sorry but you are quite wrong. I suggest that you visit your local library and ask to see a copy of the "Police & Constabulary Almanac" for the current year. It lists the names, addresses etc of all police forces in the UK. It shows the correct "official" name for each force. You will not find the word "Service" used in the title except as I've outlined previously. As an aside, what Mike says about North Yorkshire Police is correct. Furthermore, the term "Police Force" is used frequently throughout various Acts of Parliament some of which are very recently enacted. I can tell you that when a police officer makes oath and gives evidence he will state..........."I am..............a Constable of the Hampshire Constabulary (or whatever). The word "service" is not mentioned. It is a "buzz word" and nothing more except where it has been formally adopted by a particular force as part of its title.

Dave.

I'll inform my Police friends how wrong they are!

Tony

[grey_green_acorn]

Seems to be a complex issue! See
http://www.online.police.uk/forces.htm

Tim

[altcar73]

Tim,

Looking at the link you have given it seems quite straight forward. It supports what I have been saying.

Dave.