Merseyside Chief Constable discusses the Surveillance Society
Merseyside Police Chief Constable, Sir Jon Murphy QPM, delivers a lecture at LJMU on Monday, 24 November, about surveillance and how far we as a society are prepared to accept this intrusion in order to keep us safe.
The lecture, held at LJMU’s Redmonds Building on Brownlow Hill at 5.30pm, is the second in the Chief Constable Lecture Series. The lecture, entitled ‘The Surveillance Society,’ will also enable the Chief Constable and members of the public to share viewpoints about current and future policing challenges affecting Merseyside communities.
Active participation is encouraged from audience members and questions submitted prior to the event will be addressed via a question and answer session at the end of the lecture.
Sir Jon commented: “This event provides me with the opportunity to express my personal views on policing issues of contemporary interest. In my initial lecture I gave an address on the policing state of the nation. This year I have decided to focus on the surveillance society and how far the public are prepared to go to allow the state to intrude into their personal liberties to keep us safe.
“This is an emotive topic that attracts polarised views. I am not seeking to change views but I do hope that those who attend the lecture will leave better informed as to the challenges law enforcement faces in tackling terrorism and serious organised crime, and the legislation and processes that govern intelligence gathering and investigation.”
Steve Moss, Programme Leader for Policing Studies: “We are delighted to warmly welcome the Chief Constable and look forward to hearing what he has to say about the important and topical subject of surveillance. The speech also provides a great opportunity for our students to gain insight and consider the implications of policy in this area.”
Sir Jon Murphy joined Merseyside Police as a Cadet in January 1975. After early uniform roles in Toxteth and Liverpool city centre he spent three years in the force support group, during which time he was on the front line of the 1981 Toxteth riots. Shortly after the riots he entered the CID as an aide and there followed an almost 20-year unbroken career as a detective, rising to the rank of Detective Superintendent SIO. He then returned to uniform duties as Force Operations Manager prior to attending the Strategic Command Course.
He left Merseyside to join the National Crime Squad as Assistant Chief Constable, Head of Operations in 2001. In this role he was responsible for national and international operations and, for the UK, led the establishment of the first European Joint Investigation Team. He returned to Merseyside Police in 2004 as Deputy Chief Constable. In September 2007 he led the Ministerial Task Force - 'Tackling Gangs Action Programme' (TGAP) and, in April 2008, he became the ACPO National Serious & Organised Crime Coordinator. In February 2010 he took up his current position as Chief Constable of Merseyside Police.
Sir Jon has been commended on 14 occasions and was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in the 2007 Birthday Honours. In 2012 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Police Federation National Detective Forum and in 2013 he was voted Mersey Region Public Sector Leader of the Year. In 2014 he received a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
The event is free to attend but seats must be booked in advance. To reserve a place and submit questions, go to www.ljmu.ac.uk/events
LJMU works closely with Merseyside Police on a number of projects such as digital forensic testing, and the University has enabled over 300 operational officers to study for and graduate on the Policing Studies Foundation Degree - a qualification jointly established by the force and LJMU. The qualification is now available as either a Foundation or a Bachelor of Arts degree to students outside the force wishing to study policing as an academic subject.
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