Sanctioned corruption

Oh what an interesting fact I found out in my contract lecture yesterday. Apparently, it is perfectly fine for the police to take payment, for special services rendered to individuals. From the Police Act 1996:

25. - (1) The chief officer of police of a police force may provide, at the request of any person, special police services at any premises or in any locality in the police area for which the force is maintained, subject to the payment to the police authority of charges on such scales as may be determined by that authority.

'Special services' indeed. These services have included stopping striking miners from picketing (Glasbrook Bros Ltd. v. Glamorgan CC [1925]). One would imagine it would be the sort of thing used against protestors too.

What can I say?