THE MANPOWER PROBLEMS FACING ENGLAND'S POLICE FORCE ARE REVIEWED. A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF GOOD CONSTABLES IS DOCUMENTED AND SEVERAL WRITERS ARE QUOTED TO SUPPORT THE NEED FOR COMPETENT OFFICERS IN THE HIGHER POSTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT ONE OF THE REASONS YOUNG OFFICERS DO NOT APPLY FOR THE JOB OF CONSTABLE IS THAT THE POLICE SERVICE DOES NOT OFFER AN EASILY UNDERSTOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR CAREER ADVANCEMENT. A TWO-TIER RANK STRUCTURE CALLED THE HENDON SCHEME IS EXAMINED, AND REASONS WHY THIS PLAN DID NOT PROVE SUCCESSFUL ARE OFFERED. VARIOUS OTHER PLANS ARE PUT FORTH. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE POLICE FORCES OF ENGLAND HAVE THREE PROBLEMS: THE RECRUITMENT OF QUALIFIED PERSONNEL; THE FRAGMENTATION OF THE CENTRAL SERVICE AND LOCAL FORCES, WHICH MEANS THAT A PERSON'S CHANCES FOR PROMOTION OFTEN ARE LOST IN BUREAUCRATIC SNAGS; AND THE NEED TO KEEP GOOD PEOPLE ON THE JOB ONCE THEY HAVE BEEN RECRUITED AND TRAINED. THE MIDCAREER DROPOUT PROBLEM IS SEEN AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE LACK OF PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY. A CENTRALIZED ORGANIZATION WITH UNIFORM RANK STRUCTURES IS PROPOSED. THIS STRUCTURE WOULD START ALL ENTRANTS AT THE LEVEL OF CONSTABLE AND PROVIDE FOR STEADY PROGRESSION UP A PROMOTIONAL LADDER. THERE WOULD BE NO PROVISION FOR AN OFFICER ENTERING AT A LEVEL HIGHER THAN EXPERIENCED CONSTABLES MERELY BECAUSE AN EXAMINATION WAS PASSED. THE BRITISH POLICE FORCE WOULD STILL BE LOCALLY BASED AND LOCALLY CONTROLLED. HOWEVER, THE UNIFORMITY OF STRUCTURE WOULD ALLOW GREATER MOBILITY AMONG FORCES. THOSE OFFICERS WHO ACCEPT CENTRAL SERVICE POSTS WOULD RELINQUISH THEIR TIES TO THEIR LOCAL FORCES. GREATER TRAINING IS ALSO URGED. NUMEROUS QUOTATIONS FROM VARIOUS AUTHORITIES ARE INCLUDED. REFERENCES ARE LISTED. (GLR)