Delayering in the Police Force: A Structural Response to Cost, Quality and Public Accountability

Despite a decade of economic liberalisation, the police service has been largely spared any reform of its State monopoly position. Removed from the constant need to maintain a competitive edge which spurs the private sector, the police service has found itself undermined by the same problems as other State monopolies: high and rising costs, top‐heavy bureaucracy, a lack of flexibility and a propensity to favour ever greater increments in resourcing. New working practices and methods are slow to be implemented because of the inherent conservatism of the structure. There is now considerable pressure to review performance in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and value for money whilst providing a quality service.