Too many chiefs and not enough chief executives: Barriers to the development of PFI in the police service in England and Wales

The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) has proved to be one of the most controversial policies of the Labour government. Indeed, despite opposition from core government support groups New Labour has still been keen to promote PFI. In some parts of the public sector this had led to substantial and radical projects being pursued. In the police service, however, there have been relatively few projects and most that have emerged have been relatively conservative, restricted to new buildings with facilities management provision. This article will examine some of the barriers to the expansion of PFI in the police service. Central to this is the structure of the police service with 43 constabularies operating within a tripartite structure of governance. On top of this are cultural issues specific to the police service and to chief constables, combined with other general barriers. The article will also examine the new financial prudential code and illustrate that this may be the `final nail in the coffin' for the PFI in the police service.