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The Chief is a British crime drama transmitted on ITV from 20 April 1990 to 16 June 1995. Produced by Anglia Television, it centred on the politics at the top of a typical English police force in its continual battle to solve the problems the times, in this case the fictional Eastland of East Anglia.
1993
Stafford becomes Head of Europol, but the position gives him plenty of free time, so the Home Office asks him to tackle corruption within the Metropolitan Police as Alan Cade arrives. Anne has a promotion board for DCC, while also dealing with a major firearms incident in Norfolk.
Stafford's corruption inquiry reaches a successful conclusion, and the officer who assisted him with the case is appointed as Eastland's new chief constable.
An American gas rig is hijacked on Alan Cade's first day, but will his choice of negotiator pay off?
A hospital lab tech implicates a local councillor in illegal practices. When he believes his accusations are being ignored, he dramatically breaks through the cordons during a royal visit to a school concert.
Cade allows an informant to orchestrate a drug deal while investigating a smuggling ring, only to find it led to his death.
When Cade is threatened with an investigation over the death of the informer, his team closes ranks. The Home Office, preferring to have a hold on its maverick chief constable, decides not to act.
Streaming availability information not available
1994
Cade is the subject of public outrage after two terrorist bomb blasts, and, as if that were not enough, his girlfriend leaves him.
Davies discovers that a bogus doctor has been using NHS equipment to carry out his private business. Cade has to organise a massive security operation to protect a royal visitor.
Stewart is disillusioned and frustrated when she fails to win the promotion for which she has been fighting.
Impressed by her diligence, Cade agrees to employ pushy PR exec Alison Dell in an attempt to boost the force's image. However, they soon find that their working relationship spills over into their private lives.
Hilary Scott is attacked by anti-abortionists on her way to the clinic. Terrified by their campaign, she goes home to rethink her decision.
Cade causes controversy when he announces a radical plan to decriminalise certain drugs for an experimental trial.
Cade's life is jeopardised when a visiting Italian judge falls victim to an assassination attempt.
Tensions between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service mount following the acquittal of a child murderer.
A group of neo-Nazis plan to raid the home of a local councillor.
Cade is forced to defend his team when an undocumented immigrant dies during attempts to detain him.
1990
Newly appointed Eastland Police Chief Constable John Stafford is asked to provide police support to a prison where warders have gone on strike in protest at staff shortages.
As the new Chief Constable, Stafford faces opposition from all sides, and numerous challenges to his authority. The accusation of being soft over the weeding of Special Branch files presents just one...
Stafford creates fruther controversy when he intercepts Special Branch papers en route to MI5. Anne, meanwhile, is determined to clear her husband's name following their son's drug bust.
Stafford must find a solution to the vigilante groups that are emerging in response to a new social menace – crack cocaine.
A drugs raid goes wrong, and militant university students challenge Stafford's authority.
Stafford's conflict with the Home Office reaches crisis point – and threatens to end his career.
1995
Cade's attitude on firearms is challenged after an armed robbery on a countryside mansion.
Cade faces a dilemma after a child is killed by joyriders on a local estate.
Two deadly incidents of racial hatred, more than twenty years apart, cause problems for Cade.
A large demonstration takes place at a nuclear plant while Cade's away investigating a member of the force.
Cade leans on an old friend when he suspects the others are conspiring against him.
Emotions run high when charges of harassment are brought within – and against – the Eastland force.
Cade's future is in doubt when he comes under fire from the tabloid press.
Martin Shaw
Chief Constable Alan Cade
Julian Glover
Andrew Blake
Brian Bovell
PC Charlie Webb
Gillian Bevan
Det. Supt. Rose Penfold
Bosco Hogan
Dep. Chief Constable Wes Morton
1991
Stafford returns from suspension and is immediately called upon to deal with a series of bomb threats by animal rights activists.
A hitchhiker is kidnapped, and Stafford has to deal with an ensuing siege. Stewart contends with vigilante security guards working on a private estate.
Stafford continues to deal with the siege at the hospital. A female officer resigns from the force, citing sexual harassment. Stewart's husband, Martin, walks out on her.
Stafford considers whether to allow the screening of a controversial documentary about BSE. Stewart gets into hot water.
Two youths throw bricks from a walkway bridge and hit a police car, killing an officer. Stafford deals with the subsequent unrest on a housing estate.
A child playing on a beach is poisoned by spillage from an oil tanker. Stafford is ordered to evict a group of environmental protesters from a ship carrying toxic waste.