Is the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) a threat to democracy?

Is the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) a threat to democracy?

The Voice of the Police Service

"The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)
is an independent, professionally led strategic body. In the public interest and, in equal and active partnership with Government and the Association of Police Authorities, ACPO leads and coordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In times of national need ACPO - on behalf of all chief officers - coordinates the strategic policing response.

Chief officers of all police forces strive to deliver effective policing at local, regional and national levels. ACPO is a voluntary association of chief officers bringing together their experience and expertise to help achieve those aims on behalf of the public. ACPO is wholly accountable to chief officers who in turn, are each accountable to the people they serve and to police authorities at a force level".

I am concerned that a private company, which ACPO is, is claiming to be the voice of the police service. Furthermore, that this private company is passing itself off as "an independent, professionally led strategic body". And that ACPO claims that its private business activities are "In the public interest". I am aware that we have a coalition government, however, who voted for ACPO to be "in equal and active partnership with Government"? This private company that none of us voted into power informs us that, "ACPO leads and coordinates the direction and development of the police service in England, Wales and Northern Ireland". A public service led by a private company? No wonder civil liberities are abused supposedly in the public interest. ACPO acts on behalf of its members, and is accountable to itself whilst making the false claim that it is accountable to the public. This absolute power exercised by this private company, is, we are assured, exercised in the public interest. Just like it was here, perhaps?

I feel a legal challenge coming on maybe even Association of Prisoners (AoP) v Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO)...