Through the years, the police have performed the time-honored functions of controlling crime, maintaining law and order, and providing services. This comprehensive book redefines the police role in many communities, especially as police departments have moved toward the creation of a partnership with citizens, private agencies and other community service departments. Major topics include: (1) an added major development in the external review of police conduct with anticipation that police review boards will become more prevalent; (2) the fact that internal review will still be an important process of the organizational response to police misconduct acknowledging Internal Affairs is here to stay; (3) the trend for the courts at the federal level to intervene with Consent Decrees, Memorandums of Understanding, and Technical Assistance letters in cities from coast to coast; and (4) the use of deadly force that has reached the point where it is viewed as a recurrent police problem. Major cases such as the Rodney King beating, the Louima case, the James Bryd case, and the Mathew Shepard case are examined to see how these issues impacted our operational and legal system. The book also addresses the issues of profiling and vehicular pursuit that remain a major issue in many communities, and while remedies have cured some of these problems, it still remains a major issue. The text also focuses on the inroads that women in policing are making as more females enter law enforcement and ascend to positions of higher power. Law enforcement professionals, policymakers, investigators, attorneys, and the general public will find the book to be of special interest.

American law enforcement, and the public’s perception of police, is a topic of growing interest among academics, practitioners, and policymakers. From the 2014 events in Ferguson, MO, and the alleged "Ferguson Effect", to the debate over the impact of body-worn cameras (BWCs), police militarization, use of force, and other practices that may alter the public’s view of police legitimacy and procedural justice, there is an increasing need for research addressing these contemporary issues in American policing. This book presents the latest research on these topics, as well as related topics noted in the Presidential Task Force on 21st Century Policing, such as police use of technology, transparency, oversight, and building trust with the community. The studies contained in this book examine these issues by leveraging empirical data on policing, public perceptions, crime, and diverse research methods, to present high-quality analysis of these timely and relevant topics in today’s world. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Crime and Justice.

This book presents a broad range of up-to-date articles on new policing strategies, promising approaches to the problem of crime, challenges facing the police from within and outside the organization, policing innovations, and issues of police deviance and ethics.

In the field of law enforcement in the United States, it is essential to know the contemporary problems being faced and combine that knowledge with empirical research and theoretical reasoning to arrive at best practices and an understanding of policing. Policing in America, Eighth Edition, provides a thorough analysis of the key issues in policing today, and offers an issues-oriented discussion focusing on critical concerns such as personnel systems, organization and management, operations, discretion, use of force, culture and behavior, ethics and deviance, civil liability, and police-community relations. A critical assessment of police history and the role politics played in the development of American police institutions is also addressed, as well as globalization, terrorism, and homeland security. This new edition not only offers updated research and examples, it also incorporates more ways for the reader to connect to the content through learning objectives, discussion questions, and "Myths and Realities of Policing" boxes. Video and Internet links provide additional coverage of important issues. With completely revised and updated chapters, Policing in America, Eighth Edition provides an up-to-date examination of what to expect as a police officer in America.

This book provides knowledge on the history of law enforcement and its development and explains the factors leading to the evolution of the modern police officer. The first chapter provides information about the book’s purpose and methods of data collection and analysis. The next two chapters summarize ancient forms of law enforcement in Europe and the Middle East. Chapters Four through Ten describe the eras of American history from the early settlements to the modern metropolitan areas and how law enforcement evolved to serve and protect through these eras. Chapters Eleven and Twelve explain the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and how this legislation affected law enforcement through increased availability of equipment and opportunities for education for all personnel in the criminal justice system. Chapters Thirteen through Fifteen describe specific problems that have developed throughout modern American society and how law enforcement has responded to these problems. Chapter Sixteen summarizes the evolution of police technology and how it affects the most visible member of policing: the patrol officer. Chapter Seventeen reviews the recent criticism and politicization of law enforcement. The final chapter provides conclusions that can be reached about the past and recommendations for improvement in the future. Whether the reader is a college student preparing to enter a career in criminal justice or a seasoned professional, this book will help avoid systemic mistakes of the past. For politicians, journalists, educators, and other people whose professions take them close to law enforcement personnel, this book will explain the evolution of those who have chosen to serve and protect and how they have gone from captured slaves to caring professionals.

In the field of law enforcement in the United States, it is essential to know the contemporary problems being faced and combine that knowledge with empirical research and theoretical reasoning to arrive at best practices and an understanding of policing. Policing in America, Eighth Edition, provides a thorough analysis of the key issues in policing today, and offers an issues-oriented discussion focusing on critical concerns such as personnel systems, organization and management, operations, discretion, use of force, culture and behavior, ethics and deviance, civil liability, and police-community relations. A critical assessment of police history and the role politics played in the development of American police institutions is also addressed, as well as globalization, terrorism, and homeland security. This new edition not only offers updated research and examples, it also incorporates more ways for the reader to connect to the content through learning objectives, discussion questions, and "Myths and Realities of Policing" boxes. Video and Internet links provide additional coverage of important issues. With completely revised and updated chapters, Policing in America, Eighth Edition provides an up-to-date examination of what to expect as a police officer in America. In full color, including photographs and illustrations Video links provide additional coverage of topics discussed in the text Learning objectives, critical thinking questions, and review questions in every chapter help to reinforce key concepts Updated figures and “Myths and Realities of Policing boxes provide important context Includes all-new content, such as further coverage of violent crime reduction programs, gangs, and drug use Access to student and instructor ancillaries, including Self-Assessments, Case Studies, Test Bank, and PowerPoint Lecture Slides

With an engaging and balanced approach, former police officer and policing scholar Willard M. Oliver encourages students to think critically about the role of the police and the practice of policing in American society today. Policing in America builds a basic understanding of contemporary police practices upon a foundation of essential theory and research. In a readable style, the author offers a contextual understanding of concepts in policing, supported by the academic research and balanced with the voice of the American police officer. New to the Second Edition: Updated with new statistics and research Carefully streamlined and edited to ensure teachability and accuracy New, more realistic photos, added Current policing journal articles findings included and cited Professors and students will benefit from: Succinct yet thorough treatment of all policing topics, with a balanced approach that emphasizes contemporary policing. Discussion of best policing practices and research Real-world issues highlighted in text boxes Hypotheticals that exemplify theory in practice in every chapter A design for learning that includes charts, graphics, and summaries of key points Encourages students to think critically about the role of policing in today’s society.

Policing in the US and many western nations is in an era of crisis, facing extensive calls for reformation and change. This edited book outlines the major challenges and changes needed to achieve a more stable future for the policing profession and police organizations. The chapters come from innovative police leaders and officers as well as academics with subject matter expertise, to provide insight into how reform can be done with the police. It focusses on how leaders should understand and approach their role during times of instability and uncertainty. It starts with an examination of how policing reached this state of crisis and discusses some interviews conducted with police leaders, particularly chiefs as agents of change and reform. This is followed by chapters from several veteran police leaders and personnel describing some of the factors that brought policing to this critical time of change and reform, how has policing evolved in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, and how that impacts the current environment, and some potential strategies to create meaningful change while considering unintended consequences. The following chapters from academics seek to define paths that policing can take toward needed changes that will increase legitimacy, trust, and equality of policing services. It speaks to students, academics and professionals interested in police organization and administration, police leadership, and contemporary issues in policing and criminal justice.