This paper outlines the Government's proposals for reform of policing, with a move away from bureaucracy towards more democratic accountability. There will be directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners, representing their communities and understanding their crime and anti-social behaviour priorities. They will hold chief constables to account for achieving them, and will be able to fire her or him if they do not. Chief constables will be responsible for the day to day operations of their police force but accountable to the public via these individuals and not Whitehall. Regular beat meetings will allow people to challenge the police's performance and accessible 'street level' crime data will shine a light on local crime trends and concerns. Central targets will be abolished, and the police will be encouraged to use their professional judgment in performing their job. The Government will create a new National Crime Agency to lead the fight against organised crime, protect the borders and provide services best delivered at national level.

This magisterial work on American diplomacy by a veteran journalist and historian is the first complete history of the U.S. Foreign Service American Statecraft is a fascinating and comprehensive look at the unsung men and women of the U.S. Foreign Service whose dedication and sacrifices have been a crucial part of our history for over two centuries. Fifteen years in the making, veteran journalist and historian Moskin has traveled the globe conducting hundreds of interviews both in and out of the State Department to look behind the scenes at America's "militiamen of diplomacy." As the nation's eyes and ears, our envoys pledge a substantial part of their lives in foreign lands working for the benefit of their nation. Endeavoring to use dialogue and negotiation as their instruments of change, our diplomats tirelessly work to find markets for American business, rescue its citizens in trouble abroad, and act in general as "America's first line of defense" in policy negotiations, keeping America out of war. But it took generations to polish these skills, and Moskin traces America's full diplomatic history, back to its amateur years coming up against seasoned Europeans during the days of Ben Franklin, now considered the father of the U.S. Foreign Service, and up to the recent Benghazi attack. Along the way, its members included many devoted and courageous public servants, and also some political spoilsmen and outright rogues. An important contribution to the political canon, American Statecraft recounts the history of the United States through the lens of foreign diplomacy.

Abstract: A US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report examines the impact of a broad range of behavioral, societal, and health care issues concerning the health of US blacks and minorities on current departmental program areas. Six topics were identified as priority areas: cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, chemical dependency (alcohol, illicit drugs, cigarettes) diabetes, homicide and accidents, and infant mortality. Subcommittee summary reports are intended for each of these 6 areas. Data also are presented on the social characteristics of minority populations, mortality and morbidity indicators, health services and resources, an inventory of DHHS program efforts, and a survey of non-federal organizations. Recommendations are provided for health information and education, health services, health professions development, cooperative efforts, data development, and research needs. (wz).

Abstract: A US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) report examines the impact of a broad range of behavioral, societal, and health care issues concerning the health of US blacks and minorities on current departmental program areas. Six topics were identified as priority areas: cancer, cardiovascular disease and stroke, chemical dependency (alcohol, illicit drugs, cigarettes) diabetes, homicide and accidents, and infant mortality. Subcommittee summary reports are intended for each of these 6 areas. Data also are presented on the social characteristics of minority populations, mortality and morbidity indicators, health services and resources, an inventory of DHHS program efforts, and a survey of non-federal organizations. Recommendations are provided for health information and education, health services, health professions development, cooperative efforts, data development, and research needs. (wz).