The World Police Encyclopedia is the only existing reference work to systematically survey all the police systems in all the countries of the world (the 189 UN member states plus Switzerland). Each article describes police history; police education and training; structure of the force(s) in relation to the country's form of government and criminal justice system; police responsibilities and duties; most common crimes; structure and role of the courts; correction structure; organization and function of the police force(s); use of firearms; local and central interactions; community relations; and current issues and challenges. This unique resource will be of interest to scholars of history, foreign policy, and politics as well as government agencies, NGOs, and others involved in working internationally to control international and domestic crime.

"Authoritative and comprehensive, this multivolume set includes hundreds of articles in the field of criminal justice. Impressive arrays of authors have contributed to this resource, addressing such diverse topics as racial profiling, money laundering, torture, prisoner literature, the KGB, and Sing Sing. Written in an accessible manner and attractively presented, the background discussions, definitions, and explanations of important issues and future trends are absorbing. Interesting sidebars and facts,reference lists, relevant court cases, tables, and black-and-white photographs supplement the entries. Appendixes cover careers in criminal justice, Web resources, and professional organizations. A lengthy bibliography lists relevant works."--"The Best of the Best Reference Sources," American Libraries, May 2003.