Privatisation of Police to come to the UK

[gyeonghwa]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/mar/02/police-privatisation-security-firms-crime

Private companies could take responsibility for investigating crimes, patrolling neighbourhoods and even detaining suspects under a radical privatisation plan being put forward by two of the largest police forces in the country.

West Midlands and Surrey have invited bids from G4S and other major security companies on behalf of all forces across England and Wales to take over the delivery of a wide range of services previously carried out by the police.

The contract is the largest on police privatisation so far, with a potential value of £1.5bn over seven years, rising to a possible £3.5bn depending on how many other forces get involved.

This scale dwarfs the recent £200m contract between Lincolnshire police and G4S, under which half the force's civilian staff are to join the private security company, which will also build and run a police station for the first time.

Privatise police doesn't sound it will bode well. I particularly worry about them being abuse by the agenda of the CEO of the security company. They don't exactly have a track record of keeping with human rights.

Side note: Silly Brits and their 's' instead of 'z'.

[D Laurier]

So hired mercenarys will be enforcing the will of Shell Oil.

[Old Viking]

I'd have to think about it (which is painful).  My first reaction: probably not good.

[Lt. Fred]

So it will be a more expensive, less effective, more corrupt and less transparent organisation run according to profit.

Who couldn't love it?

[Random Gal]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLfghLQE3F4

[largeham]

Lovely. Pinkertons 2.0.

[MadCatTLX]

So using mercenaries in other countries is bad but using them in you own country is fine? I'm thinking they would pay them one of two ways. Per person arrested, and they would arrest people for bullshit reasons, or pay them a fixed rate, in which case they would do not a damn thing. It would be even easier for them to be bribed, especially by corporations. The owner's of these companies could do anything with no repercussions since they own the fucking police! Here in America the prison system is privatized and look just how well that worked. /sarcasm This is the worst fucking idea I've heard in a while from England. I want to punch who ever thought this was a good idea. It's not what could go wrong, it's how many will.

[kefkaownsall]

Some Guardian readers were saying that America is looking good in comparison

[StallChaser]

I can just see it now.  We complain about corporations stealing from the people figuratively.  Now they'll be able to do it literally with civil asset forfeiture.  It's brilliant, because when the police corporation can get free stuff by accusing the owner of smuggling drugs without proof, they'll never have to pay for any equipment ever again!

[kefkaownsall]

I can just see it now.  We complain about corporations stealing from the people figuratively.  Now they'll be able to do it literally with civil asset forfeiture.  It's brilliant, because when the police corporation can get free stuff by accusing the owner of smuggling drugs without proof, they'll never have to pay for any equipment ever again!

Does the UK have civil forfeiture?

[Sandafluffoid]

I can just see it now.  We complain about corporations stealing from the people figuratively.  Now they'll be able to do it literally with civil asset forfeiture.  It's brilliant, because when the police corporation can get free stuff by accusing the owner of smuggling drugs without proof, they'll never have to pay for any equipment ever again!

Does the UK have civil forfeiture?

Yes, although only cash or stolen goods can be seized without a prior related conviction (not that it makes it any less likely to be abused).

Honestly, I know why we voted in the conservatives, we were tired of New Labour being idiots, but more and more I find myself being scared of just how evil Cameron really is. I always thought of my country as a safe haven from the kind of idiotic opinions being floated about by American politics, but it seems not. I am worried about what else they might manage to do before they can be driven out, which almost certainly will not be until 2015.

[nickiknack]

When will people(especially conservatives) learn that privatizing certain things, like the police, army, healthcare and prisons, never turn out well, along with costing the taxpayer more money??

Side note: Silly Brits and their 's' instead of 'z'.

same with the "ou" rather than just plain "o"

[kefkaownsall]

When will people(especially conservatives) learn that privatizing certain things, like the police, army, healthcare and prisons, never turn out well, along with costing the taxpayer more money??

Side note: Silly Brits and their 's' instead of 'z'.

same with the "ou" rather than just plain "o"

not to mention their tendency to add unnecessary letters
it's center not centere

[myusername]

 
I barely have words for how much I hate privatisation. All it does is make corporations more money and screw everyone else... oh wait this is why Cameron likes it. The problem with our politicians (both sides Labour are just as bad) is that they make Thatcher's privatisation programs of the 80s look modest. I honestly don't believe that by the time I die the NHS will be left in this country.

G4S has been such a fantastic success what with the scandals reported in Private Eye. [/sarc]

[Sandafluffoid]

When will people(especially conservatives) learn that privatizing certain things, like the police, army, healthcare and prisons, never turn out well, along with costing the taxpayer more money??

Side note: Silly Brits and their 's' instead of 'z'.

same with the "ou" rather than just plain "o"

not to mention their tendency to add unnecessary letters
it's center not centere

HEy, you're the one adding an unnecessary letter there, it's 'centre' not 'centere'