Задание № 34

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The British Police.

1. 1.The British police officer is a well-known figure to anyone who has visited Britain and who has seen British films. Policemen are to be seen in towns and cities keeping law and order, either walking in pairs down the streets (“walking the beat”) or driving specially marked police cars. Once known as ‘panda cars’ because of their distinctive markings, these are now often jokingly referred to as ‘jam sandwiches’ because of their fluorescent stripe running horizontally around the bodywork. In the past, policemen were often known as ‘bobbies’ after Sir Robert Peel, the founder of the police force. Nowadays, common nicknames include ‘the cops’, ‘the fuzz’, ‘the pigs’, and ‘the Old Bill’ (particularly in London). Few people realize, however, that the police in Britain are organized very differently from many other countries.

2. Most countries, for example, have a national police force which is controlled by Central government. Britain has no national police force, although police policy is governed by central Government’s Home Office. Instead, there is a separate police force for each of 52 areas into which the country is divided. Each has a police authority – a committee of local county councilors and magistrates.

3. All members of the police must have gained a certain level of academic qualifications at school and undergone a period of intensive training. Like in the army, there are a number of ranks: after the Chief Constable comes the Assistant Chief Constable, Chief Superintendent, Chief Inspector, Inspector, Sergeant and Constable. Women make up about 10 per cent of the police force. The police are helped by a number of Special Constables – members of the public who work for the police voluntarily for a few hours a week.

4. The duties of the police are varied, ranging from assisting at accidents to safeguarding public order and dealing with lost property. One of their main functions is, of course, apprehending criminals and would – be criminals.

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● Policemen keep law and order, either walking in pairs down the streets or driving specially marked police cars.

● The structure of the British national police force is different from many other countries and has the following pattern.

● The police are responsible for controlling offences like speeding, careless driving and drunken driving.

● There are a number of ranks in the police like in the army.