Policing Change Changing Police

First published in 1996. In keeping with the other volumes in the Current Issues in Criminal justice series, this anthology is a prime example of joining readability and scholarship. Editor Otwin Marenin has thoughtfully commissioned and compiled an excellent group of essays on the role of police in changing societies by a very knowledgeable group of scholars. Moreover, Marenin has added substantially to the collection through his own insightful contributions.

In this case study of police racism and police reform in Australia, the author provides a critical assessment of police initiative in response to the problem of police/minorities relations.

The massive uprising following the police killing of George Floyd in the summer of 2020--by some estimates the largest protests in US history--thrust the argument to defund the police to the forefront of international politics. It also made The End of Policing a bestseller and Alex Vitale, its author, a leading figure in the urgent public discussion over police and racial justice. As the writer Rachel Kushner put it in an article called "Things I Can't Live Without", this book explains that "unfortunately, no increased diversity on police forces, nor body cameras, nor better training, has made any seeming difference" in reducing police killings and abuse. "We need to restructure our society and put resources into communities themselves, an argument Alex Vitale makes very persuasively." The problem, Vitale demonstrates, is policing itself-the dramatic expansion of the police role over the last forty years. Drawing on first-hand research from across the globe, The End of Policing describes how the implementation of alternatives to policing, like drug legalization, regulation, and harm reduction instead of the policing of drugs, has led to reductions in crime, spending, and injustice. This edition includes a new introduction that takes stock of the renewed movement to challenge police impunity and shows how we move forward, evaluating protest, policy, and the political situation.

This in-depth case study of a mid-sized police department captures the dynamics, struggles, and successes of police change, revealing the positive organizational and community outcomes that resulted from a persistent drive to reinvent public safety and community relationships. The police profession in the United States faces a legitimacy problem. It is critical that police are prepared to change constantly, be adaptive, and adopt openness to self-reflection and external comparison, moving beyond their comfort zone to overcome the inevitable cultural, structural, and political obstacles. Using previously unpublished longitudinal data examining a 25-year period, Bond-Fortier offers a rich account of the complexity of police management and change within one particular mid-sized city: Lowell, Massachusetts. The multidisciplinary lens applied provides crucial insights into how and why police organizations respond to a changing environment, set certain goals, and make decisions about how to achieve those goals. The book analyzes the community and organizational forces that stimulated change in the Lowell Police Department, describes the changes that enabled the department to achieve national model status, and builds a nexus between influencing forces, interdisciplinary theory, and the creation of an adaptive 21st-century police organization. Organizational Change in an Urban Police Department: Innovating to Reform is essential reading for academics and students in criminal justice, criminology, organizational studies, public administration, sociology, political science, and public policy programs, as well as government executives, crime policy analysts, and public- and private-sector managers and leaders engaged in professional development and leadership courses.

This book provides broad exposure to a variety of policing reforms that have not received adequate attention. It includes information and examples from different countries regarding efforts to change aspects of policing that are problematic or involve changes in the way crimes are committed. Some of the efforts to improve the police are relatively recent (i.e., using social media) and some areas of policing that seem to require frequent attention (i.e., working with the public).

The second edition of Policing: Continuity and Change effectively combines theory, research, policy, and practical experience. Strategies for policing in the United States have evolved rapidly in the last four decades. This concise introduction provides the necessary background to understand the challenges of policing, the innovations in the field, and the reforms shaping the profession. Discussions of recruitment, socialization, and organization delineate who the police are, what they do, and how the police culture affects officers. The authors highlight the proactive skills necessary for solving problems and for productive interactions with community members. They emphasize the need for policies and training regarding use of force. This vital, up-to-date overview explores the implications for policing as departments employ new technologies and respond to demands for accountability.

How does society hold its police to account? It’s a vital part of upholding law and liberty but changing modes of policing delivery and new technologies call for fresh thinking about the way we guard our guards. This much-needed new book from leading criminology professor Michael Rowe, part of the ‘Key Themes in Policing’ series, explores issues of governance, discipline and transparency, ranging across subjects including ethics, governance, discipline and transparency. The landmark new study: • Showcases how social change and rising inequalities make it more difficult to ensure meaningful accountability; • Addresses the impact of Evidence-Based Policing strategies on the direction and control of officers; • Sets out a game-changing agenda for ensuring democratic and answerable policing. For policing students and practitioners, it’s an essential guide to modern-day accountability.

"An extremely valuable source of reading, information, and guidance for my policing students. It covers all the topical issues." Johannes Oosthuizen – Lecturer at Winchester University Introducing the definitive guide for students and professionals alike who want to gain a comprehensive understanding of policing in the 21st century. This updated edition of Introduction to Policing reflects the latest developments in policing and offers a rigorous yet accessible overview of the historical origins and theories of policing, the functions of police organisations, and the challenges and controversies facing policing today. With an emphasis on critical thinking and analysis, Rowe encourages readers to consider different perspectives and to engage with key debates around policing, such as ‘who guards the guards’ and ‘the implications of police culture’, helping them to develop a more nuanced understanding of this complex field. The clear writing style, engaging case studies, and helpful study aids make this book an invaluable resource for students and professionals alike. Key features include: • Revised and expanded discussion of racism and police culture, and new coverage of the development of antiracist policing • Updated examples reflecting contemporary criticisms of policing, such as the cases of Sarah Everard and George Floyd • Expanded discussion of key debates, including the ‘defund the police’ movement, and the use of technology and digital policing, including Smart Policing, drones, and body-worn cameras • Learning objectives, key terms, review questions, and annotated further readings in every chapter will help you to engage with the material and consolidate your learning Michael Rowe is Professor of Criminology at Northumbria University Liam Ralph is Assistant Professor of Criminology at Northumbria University Ali Malik is Lecturer in Criminal Justice at University of Leeds