The Police Reform Program was published in a white paper in 1993. The resultant Police & Magistrates' Courts Act 1994 (PMCA) had the potential to change policing from a community-based activity to the culture of the production line and the social market. Its provisions included the notion that police officers would work better if they had the opportunity to receive a small annual bonus. In addition to the proposals contained in the PMCA, Chief Constables were facing the implications of contracting out parts of their support and personnel services. The Government's police reform program has brought change and considerable uncertainty. The managerial freedom promised by the Government has been constrained and potentially damaged by the application of central direction. In future, instead of putting all its resources into achieving short-term gains in crime detection and punishment, society should make a commitment to addressing the causes of crime. The long-term gain will be a real reduction in public spending and a safer society. References