Call for better control of police

Monday 10th July 2006, 12:00AM BST.

A FORMER politician who was responsible for law and order is calling on the States to establish an independent Police Authority – eight years after they approved the idea.

Ex-Deputy Mike Wavell , the former Defence Committee president, says the current anti-corruption drive at Police Headquarters and uncertainty over who is controlling policing policy proves the need for the body.

The States agreed to set one up in 1998 but have never implemented the decision – and Mr Wavell says now is the time to put words into action.

‘Something has got to be done because, as I see it, public confidence is not high and the perception is that the police are not being properly controlled and monitored.,’ he said.

‘We need to regain the confidence of the public and a way to do that is to ensure that they come under an independent police authority.’

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