Police: UK

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) of England, Wales and Northern Ireland ensures that policy development work is undertaken in one place rather than in 44 separate forces. While ACPO does not collect statistics on crime, police personnel, or  performance, this website features many useful downloads.

The Association of Police Authorities represents police authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, both on the national stage and locally. It influences policy on policing and supports local police authorities.

The British Association for Women in Policing is the only organisation in the UK to draw members from all ranks of the police service,and support staff, both male and female

British Transport Police is the national police force for the railways and is also responsible for policing the London Underground system.

The Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV)  is dedicated to the study of the determinants, manifestations and consequences of terrorism and other forms of political violence.

The Gay Police Association has members in all 52 UK police forces, and  supports 16,000 police staff. This represents the largest minority community employed by the police. The GPA also work to educate the police service and government on issues connected with sexual orientation and policing.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary are charged with examining and improving the efficiency of the Police Service in England and Wales. HM Inspectors of Constabulary are appointed on the recommendation of the Home Secretary.

The Independent Police Complains Commission (IPCC) will have overall responsibility for the system of complaints against the police from April 2004, when they replace the Police Complaints Authority.

Macpherson Inquiry: This essential website provides the full Report of Sir William Macpherson's Inquiry into the death of Stephen Lawrence. It concludes the police investigation was "marred by a combination of professional incompetence, institutional racism and a failure of leadership".

The Metropolitan Police website publishes a range of information about its plans and performance in addressing crime in London. The head of the Met Police traditionally holds the rank of Commissioner.

Metropolitan Police Commander Brian Paddick attracted controversy and huge local support for his unorthodox solutions to tackling crime in Lambeth. This fascinating website shows Paddick engaging in frank and serious debate about crime and drugs.

The Ministry of Defence Police is the MOD's dedicated civil Police Force of around 3,800 officers. They operate at MOD establishments throughout the country, and are the UK's only national police force.

The Morris Inquiry is an independent Inquiry into professional standards and employment matters in London’s Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). The Inquiry conducted a survey of all 43,000 MPS officers and staff. The full survey report can be downloaded from the website.

The National Policing Improvement Agency acts as a central resource to the police service, working for ACPO (Association of Chief Police Officers), APA (Association of Police Authorities) and the Home Office to improve the delivery of policing.

The Home Office Police  page has information on all aspects of policing, including complaints, equality and diversity, and race relations between the police and the community.

The Police Complaints Authority is an independent body overseeing complaints against serving police officers in England and Wales. It supervises police investigations into complaints of serious misconduct or incidents causing public concern.

The Police Corruption website is an unoffical site maintained by a retired Surrey Police officer.

The Police Federation for Northern Ireland represents 10,000 Police Service of Northern Ireland officers.

The Police Foundation is an independent research charity, which focuses on policing issues of public concern. Their primary aim is to help develop more efficient and effective policing through applied research and development, education and training.

The Police History Society aims to advance public education in police history, encourage the preservation of relevant police archives and artifacts and promote their accessibility, and to forge and maintain links with academic institutions.

The Police Ombudsman for Northern Ireland aims to provide an independent, impartial police complaints system for the people and police under the Police (Northern Ireland) Act 1998 and 2000.

The Home Office Police  page has information on all aspects of policing, including complaints, equality and diversity, and race relations between the police and the community.

The Police Superintendents' Association of England and Wales is the influential staff association which represents police superintendents and chief superintendents.

The Scottish Police Federation has almost 15,000 members, 98% of all police officers in Scotland.

The Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) is sponsored by, but operationally independent from, the Home Office. SOCA is an intelligence-led agency with law enforcement powers and harm reduction responsibilities. Harm in this context is the damage caused to people and communities by serious organised crime.

UK Police Forces: All individual UK police forces websites are listed.

Police: International

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the investigative arm of the US Department of Justice. Statutes such as the Congressional Assassination, Kidnapping, and Assault Act give the FBI responsibility to investigate specific crimes.

Interpol provides a range of services for the law enforcement community to optimise the international effort to combat crime.

The International Police Association is an independent body made up of members of the police service, whether on active duty or retired, of all ranks.

The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) is a coalition of police unions and associations in the USA that serves to advance the interests of America's law enforcement officers through legislative and legal advocacy, political action and education. NAPO represents more than 2,000 police unions and associations, 234,000 sworn law enforcement officers, and 11,000 retired officers.

The Nigeria Police  website aims to render the operations of the Nigeria Police accessible to the public, to inform them of the changes and developments in policing and law enforcement strategies in Nigeria.

The Police Accountability website is a South African resource which aims to enhance and promote effective, publicly accountable policing. It has useful downloadable information on current debates on police oversight. The website is managed by the University of Cape Town’s Institute of Criminology.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is the Canadian national police service. It is unique in the world since it is a national, federal, provincial and municipal policing body.

The US National Central Bureau of Interpol aims to facilitate international law enforcement cooperation as the United States representative with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).