Last updated 13:39, Thursday, 02 October 2008

Fears have been raised that political extremists or crime gangs could infiltrate Cumbria’s police watchdog if plans to elect people to oversee the force go ahead.

The county’s Police Authority, which currently monitors the constabulary, said there was “a real and present danger”, adding that elections could also “politicise policing”.

The example of Adolf Hitler and his rise to power, started through democratic means, was even flagged up as an example of what could go wrong.

The concerns are raised in a draft response to a Home Office green paper on policing. It said: “While there are numerous examples in local government of single-issue or extremist representation, public safety and policing is a different activity altogether.”

The paper includes ideas to alter the composition of police authorities – currently councillors, magistrates and independent members who monitor forces.

Among the plans are moves to introduce a number of directly-elected so-called crime and policing representatives.

Nationally, the Association of Police Authorities has welcomed other recommendations in the paper – but is to oppose direct elections.

Now Cumbria’s authority has revealed details of its initial stance in the draft response, which will be sent to the Government in its finished state after discussions.

It says democratic accountability already exists, with some members already answerable to the ballot box in their roles as councillors.
The authority also highlighted what it called “grave potential dangers”.

The statement read: “Our greatest concern is that direct elections would politicise policing, leaving the risk of party politics influencing – if not positively poisoning – our decision-making. It is also probable that people representing single issues or extremist views could stand and be elected.

“This is no matter for philosophical resignation – after all, it was democratic selection processes which enabled Adolf Hitler to float to the top.

“There is even potential for organised crime groups to organise themselves sufficiently to obtain representation on the authority.

“(This could be) in pursuit of opportunities for sensitive and valuable tactical information they can use. This is a real and present danger.”

The authority adds that the public’s wishes on policing are already identified through work with community police.

It also states that its own quizzing of the public has seen “universal rejection” of plans for directly-elected members.

In separate proposals, the Conservative party has revealed plans for a single elected police “commissioner” to oversee police forces.