NCJ Number
122941
Journal
Police Journal Volume: 62 Issue: 4 Dated: (October-December 1989) Pages: 264-274
Date Published
1989
Length
11 pages
Annotation
The British police has taken many steps to improve efficiency and effectiveness in both its operations and its administration, but the development of a national agency is necessary to respond to the challenges of international criminality in Europe after 1992.
Abstract
Although it is not always possible to quantify outputs and identify the specific inputs that affect a particular police function, it is clear that the police service has taken significant steps to achieve cost-effectiveness. To cope with future challenges, the existing territorial structure does not need radical alteration. In addition, a European police force does not yet need to be considered. However, to counter major national and international crime, a Federal or national agency is needed to gather and evaluate data and to investigate the most serious crimes, including organized crime, terrorism, drug trafficking, serious food contamination, and extortion cases. Nevertheless, parliament, police authorities, other agencies, and the police service itself may not be ready to develop such an agency.