THE BRITISH POLICE, DATING TO THE TIME OF THE NORMANS, ARE BASICALLY REGIONAL (E.G., THE THAMES VALLEY POLICE) AND ARE SUPPORTED BY LOCAL GOVERNMENTS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE HOME OFFICE. THE CHIEF CONSTABLE BEARS THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING PUBLIC ORDER, WHILE THE HOME OFFICE ESTABLISHES GUIDELINES. FORMATION OF A POLICE ELITE IS DISCOURAGED BY THE REQUIREMENT THAT ALL CHIEF CONSTABLES BE UNIFORMED AND THAT EVEN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS SPEND AT LEAST A YEAR IN UNIFORM. OUTSIDE OF SUPPORT GROUPS, SPECIALTY UNITS ARE RARE. RECRUITMENT BOTH OF TRAINED VOLUNTEER POLICE HELPERS AND OF FEMALE POLICE (DESPITE OPPOSITION OF MALE OFFICERS) ARE ENCOURAGED. THE PRINCIPAL OBLIGATIONS OF THE 'OFFICERS OF THE CROWN' ARE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION AND PROTECTION AGAINST DANGERS. IN MANY CRIMINAL MATTERS OFFICERS HAVE THE POWER TO DECIDE WHETHER THE CASE SHOULD BE PURSUED FURTHER. PROBLEM POLICE AREAS ARE CONTROL OF FOOTBALL HOOLIGANISM, CRIME IN HIGH-RISE HOUSING, AND CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR OF YOUNG WEST INDIANS, AS WELL AS THE LACK OF INDIVIDUAL ID CARDS FOR CITIZENS, OF SPECIAL DRIVER TRAINING REQUIREMENTS, AND OF MANDATORY BLOOD ALCOHOL TESTS. OFFICERS ARE CONSIDERED ORDINARY COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES; THEY REMAIN UNARMED AND SEEK TO PREVENT CRIME THROUGH COORDINATION OF COMMUNITY GROUPS, SPECIAL PROTECTION EFFORTS AND POLICE BEATS, PRESS CAMPAIGNS, AND INSTRUCTION IN SCHOOLS. POLICE EQUIPMENT IN GENERAL IS NOT OUTSTANDING; THE COMPUTER FACILITIES AND THE RADIO NETWORK ARE MORE PRIMITIVE THAN THOSE IN WEST GERMANY. POLICE MAKE SPECIAL EFFORTS TO RECRUIT YOUNG PEOPLE BETWEEN 16 AND 18 YEARS OLD WHO ARE TRAINED IN SPECIAL 10- TO 15-WEEK CADET CLASSES; A FURTHER TRAINING PERIOD LASTS 2 YEARS. CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES ARE INADEQUATE. IN ADDITION TO THEIR SALARIES OFFICERS RECEIVE FREE HOUSING OR RENT SUBSIDIES. THE MOST IMPRESSIVE FEATURES FROM THE GERMAN STANDPOINT ARE THE CHIEF CONSTABLE'S ROLE, THE INTENSIVE POLICE PREVENTION WORK, THE POSITIVE POSITION OF OFFICERS IN SOCIETY, OFFICERS' SELF-DISCIPLINE, BRITISH HUMOR, THE SELF-CONFIDENCE OF YOUNG OFFICERS, AND THE BRITISH ABILITY TO IMPROVISE. TABLES ARE SUPPLIED. --IN GERMAN. (KMD)