Protecting the manpower base, cataloging and reviewing available resources, establishing priorities, and reallocating resources according to newly established priorities are the major tasks confronting police forces operating under financial constraints. Police forces can imitate successful business if they can be flexible enough to discard ineffective procedures and to incorporate new approaches. However, innovation should be phased in gradually in selected problem areas by small groups of individuals who work in the area, are interested in solving the problem, and have authority to implement solutions. Involving officers in problemsolving builds morale and is especially important when officers' financial security may be threatened and public criticism of the policy may be high. Initial small-scale trials should have attainable goals and be kept as simple as possible; excessive paperwork is unnecessary. Because new ideas have to be tried, no suggestion can be rejected out of hand. Failures are tolerated because initial trials have not wasted time, money, or manpower. Although costs can be kept down through hiring and salary freezes, early retirements, part-time employment, job-sharing opportunities, and monitoring overtime pay are more effective cost control methods. Finally, police forces should coordinate their cost control efforts with other forces when possible and work with the business community, citizens, and politicians to ensure public support.