The Strange Death of Constable George Dixon

The 1950 film "The Blue Lamp" was a box office hit and the television series "Dixon of Dock Green" was popular. However, the traditional style of policing, characterized by patrolling beats and face-to-face encounters with the public, is now viewed as an embarrassment and an anachronism. The decline in policing standards, including the rape and murder of Sarah Everard, has reached a tipping point, and the only solution is "root and branch reform."

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 376 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2024
Publisher: Troubador Publishing

The 1950 film "The Blue Lamp" was an instant box office hit, featuring the friendly and avuncular copper PC George Dixon, diligently working his lonely night beat around Paddington Green. The film's success was followed by the television series "Dixon of Dock Green," which ran on prime-time TV for twenty-one years. George Dixon has become an archetypal police officer, admired and respected by many for his dedication and commitment to his job. Until the late 1960s, "The Blue Lamp" was shown to every recruit constable as part of their training.

However, today, the George Dixon style of policing is viewed by the police establishment as something between an embarrassment and an anachronism. Modern policing is focused on targets and performance, with a strong emphasis on fast cars and body armor. The police argue that they do not want to return to patrolling beats in all weathers and having face-to-face encounters with the public.

However, the decline in standards of policing in these islands has now reached a tipping point. The rape and murder of Sarah Everard by a serving police officer, attitudes to race and civil liberties, and failing leadership have forced us to look over a precipice. We cannot continue in this way. The only solution is "root and branch reform."

The police establishment must recognize that the George Dixon style of policing is outdated and ineffective in the modern world. They must focus on building relationships with the public, addressing racial and social inequalities, and providing training and support to officers to ensure that they are able to handle the challenges of their job effectively.

Furthermore, the government must invest in the police force, providing them with the resources and support they need to carry out their duties. This includes increasing the number of officers on the streets, improving training and education programs, and investing in technology and equipment to help officers keep the public safe.

In conclusion, the decline in standards of policing in these islands has reached a tipping point. The only solution is "root and branch reform." The police establishment must recognize the need for change and invest in the necessary resources and training to ensure that the public can trust the police to keep them safe. The government must also provide the police with the support they need to carry out their duties effectively.

Weight: 402g
Dimension: 284 x 220 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781805141365