The Chief

1. Crash Course

Apr 20, 1990 · 50 min

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.

2. Daydreamer

Apr 27, 1990 · 50 min

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...

3. Call Sign Bravo

May 4, 1990 · 50 min

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.

4. The Great Escape

May 11, 1990 · 50 min

Stafford must find a solution to the vigilante groups that are emerging in response to a new social menace – crack cocaine.

5. Ring O' Ring O' Roses

May 18, 1990 · 50 min

A drugs raid goes wrong, and militant university students challenge Stafford's authority.

6. For Whom the Bell Tolls

May 25, 1990 · 50 min

Stafford's conflict with the Home Office reaches crisis point – and threatens to end his career.

1. A Sudden Cause for Demonstration

Apr 5, 1991 · 50 min

Stafford returns from suspension and is immediately called upon to deal with a series of bomb threats by animal rights activists.

2. Walk Home

Apr 12, 1991 · 50 min

A hitchhiker is kidnapped, and Stafford has to deal with an ensuing siege. Stewart contends with vigilante security guards working on a private estate.

3. Jack and Jill

Apr 19, 1991 · 50 min

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.

4. Take Care

Apr 26, 1991 · 50 min

Stafford considers whether to allow the screening of a controversial documentary about BSE. Stewart gets into hot water.

5. Deep Breath

May 3, 1991 · 50 min

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.

6. The Thunder and the Lightning

May 10, 1991 · 50 min

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.

1. The Time for Change

Apr 16, 1993 · 50 min

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.

2. Songbird

Apr 23, 1993 · 50 min

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.

3. A Long Cold Lonely Winter

Apr 30, 1993 · 50 min

An American gas rig is hijacked on Alan Cade's first day, but will his choice of negotiator pay off?

4. Seeing Red

May 7, 1993 · 50 min

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.

5. The Trust of Justice

May 14, 1993 · 50 min

Cade allows an informant to orchestrate a drug deal while investigating a smuggling ring, only to find it led to his death.

6. Dealbreaker

May 21, 1993 · 50 min

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.

1. In the Wake of Terror

Jan 7, 1994 · 50 min

Cade is the subject of public outrage after two terrorist bomb blasts, and, as if that were not enough, his girlfriend leaves him.

2. The Magician's Key

Jan 14, 1994 · 50 min

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.

3. Hammer and Tongs

Jan 21, 1994 · 50 min

Stewart is disillusioned and frustrated when she fails to win the promotion for which she has been fighting.

4. A Pretty Face

Jan 28, 1994 · 50 min

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.

5. Extreme Delegation

Feb 4, 1994 · 50 min

Hilary Scott is attacked by anti-abortionists on her way to the clinic. Terrified by their campaign, she goes home to rethink her decision.

6. Forger's Gamble

Feb 11, 1994 · 50 min

Cade causes controversy when he announces a radical plan to decriminalise certain drugs for an experimental trial.

7. Four and Twenty Blackbirds

Feb 18, 1994 · 50 min

Cade's life is jeopardised when a visiting Italian judge falls victim to an assassination attempt.

8. Strained Relations

Feb 25, 1994 · 50 min

Tensions between the police and the Crown Prosecution Service mount following the acquittal of a child murderer.

9. The Right Wing

Mar 4, 1994 · 50 min

A group of neo-Nazis plan to raid the home of a local councillor.

10. Appropriate Force

Mar 11, 1994 · 50 min

Cade is forced to defend his team when an undocumented immigrant dies during attempts to detain him.

7. The End of the Line

Jun 16, 1995 · 50 min

Cade's future is in doubt when he comes under fire from the tabloid press.