Performance Management: Threat or Opportunity? Current Problems Surrounding the Application of Performance Management to Public Services in England and Wales

Abstract

This article considers recent developments in the application of performance measures and management to public and, particularly, police services. It looks at the impact of the government's overwhelming commitment to the use of targets for services and asks whether this is the best way to improve effectiveness or service delivery generally. It goes on to assess recent managerial analysis of performance targets which suggests that the application of targets could ultimately serve to undermine the overall performance of public service by eradicating managerial initiative and trust among service providers.