This has not been easy. The intensity and complexity of policing a modern, pluralistic society is considerable and not to be treated lightly. We now live in a society of many backgrounds and viewpoints, where nearly every home has stealable possessions, and where as a consequence the police are called upon to fulfill a vast array of tasks ranging from crime detection to controlling large demonstrations. At the same time, the public are more informed. The media reaches instantly into every home.
Expectations are higher and decisions and mistakes are put under the microscope.
And at the same time as meeting these expectations, we are quite rightly called upon to provide value for money. We have a responsibility to use money wisely and justify its use. I am mindful of the fact that the police are not the only public service competing for finite resources. If I was to summarize the lessons we have learnt, and are trying to consolidate through a massive restructuring process, it would be these. All of them are intended to improve our partnership with the public.