NCJ Number
150073
Journal
Cahiers de la Securite Interieure Issue: 14 Dated: (August-October 1993) Pages: 21-36
Date Published
1993
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes pending reforms of the British police system in their national and European cultural context.
Abstract
Just like French bread, the French police force has successfully resisted efforts of modernization and rationalization. The example of France and of other European countries shows that effectiveness and efficiency are not the only factors to consider in planning a police reform; rather, a country's values, police culture, and popular tradition are equally significant. The British police force is soon to undergo a radical reform which will change the organization from its long-standing military structure to a management-by-objectives style. This reform has been spearheaded and designed by British industrial management experts after a thorough study of the existing police organization. If these reform ideas are implemented with care and respect for existing traditions, they will improve the British police force and may even help streamline other European police forces. However, if they are imposed insensitively, they will fail just like the efforts to rationalize French bread production. 30 references