'Public Champions or Protectors of Professional Interests?'Observations on the Performance of Those Bodies Entrusted with the Regulation of the Police Service during the Era of New Public Management

Abstract

New Public Management was intended to improve the efficiency and cost effectiveness of the Public Sector through the adoption of market-based systems. Whilst the public are generally able to make informed choices on the cost and quality of manufactured goods, thus ensuring producers remain conscious of quality control during the production process, this is more problematic in relation to public services. In these less visible services, quality control is entrusted to regulators with the required expertise and legal authority to check that providers are acting with probity. Such responsibilities would include curbing ‘gaming’ practices or tricks designed to give the false impression of improved performance. This article looks at the response of the various Police Regulators to combat ‘gaming’ practices designed to deceive the public and their elected representatives.