Drugs policing: Federation spokesman calls for policy rethink

Simon Kempton said he especially wants to stop so-called "middle class" dealers in drugs such as cocaine
BBC News (UK)
Tuesday, May 22, 2018

portugalThe Police Federation spokesman on drugs policing, Simon Kempton, has called for a rethink on drugs policy, saying prohibition has "never worked". Sgt Kempton, who works for Dorset Police, said the government should consider the Portuguese approach, where the possession of drugs has been decriminalised since 2001. He is the latest high-profile policing figure to question current drugs policy following Durham Chief Constable Mike Barton. Sgt Kempton's comments, made at a Police Federation conference debate on the causes of gang and knife crime, came as officers were told they should be focusing more on recreational drug users.

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