Modern police forces are large and complex organisations, expected to perform a diversity of tasks and are under pressure to account for their activities in ways which satisfy a variety of constituencies. Originally published in 1986, this book documents some of the changing demands and pressures on the police at the time. It shows how the police were responding and assesses the extent to which they were open-minded and receptive to change.

The book brings together in one place and critically reviews information on a considerable number of police operational and management initiatives. It describes and assesses recent innovations and experiments in two main areas: patrol and crime prevention. It describes attempts to make the police more efficient and effective and to measure the results of what they do. It documents the interest of central government in what the police do and shows how this can affect police operational priorities.

Throughout, this book is concerned to analyse police practice and attitudes and to set them against a wider background of pressures to improve police effectiveness.