American tipped to head UK`s `FBI`
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Feb. 9, IRNA -- British plans to set up a US-style Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) were launched Monday amid speculation that the new nationwide squad of 5,000 `supercop` may be headed by former New York police chief Bill Bratton. Homes Secretary David Blunkett is known to be a fan of Bratton`s `zero tolerance` approach to crime, according to London`s Evening Standard newspaper. The 57-year old Vietnam veteran, who now heads the Los Angeles Police Department, is reportedly favourite when interview for the post of director-general of the new British force start this summer. Plans for Britain`s version of the FBI, that is expected to be formed by 2006, were unveiled in a joint statement from Blunkett and Prime Minister Tony Blair Monday. "We must become better organised, more sophisticated and more technologically capable than the criminals," the Home Secretary said, adding that the force would also harness the skills of non- traditional investigators like accountants and legal experts. The new force is to have greatly increased powers over the UK`s regional police forces and will be able to carry out undercover operations, have the right to bug telephones and force witnesses to give evidence against organised crime gangs. The announcement is seen as the biggest shake-up of Britain`s policing structure since 1964 when the current 43 regional forces were drawn up. Based on the FBI, it will gather and act on intelligence to stave off the growing threat from international crimes such as drug trafficking and people smuggling. Britain already has a National Crime Squad and National Criminal Intelligence Service but concern is being expressed that the move could lead to territorial disputes between the new service and local forces. Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesman said that he hoped that it was not a step towards setting up a national police force, stressing the importance of regional accountability. Blunkett last year paved the way to allow foreigners to take up chief constable posts and has since made ex-Boston police chief Paul Evans head of the Home Office`s Police Standards Unit. HC/212 End
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