Smoke and mirrors, or a real attempt at reform?

The recent change of Government and the current economic situation has brought about the publication of several major official reports and media announcements concerning a shift in policing priorities and the delivery of policing services in England and Wales. Discourse analysis of these proposed changes allows for deeper explanation and understanding of their impact, in particular, the way in which ideological and philosophical ideals may impact upon such important issues as police culture. This in turn will affect the way the police organization operates and in particular its own view of policing within society. The potential impact this will have upon the relationships between community, partnership, and police is discussed within this article.