NCJ Number
188201
Date Published
2000
Length
641 pages
Annotation
This textbook describes the development of law enforcement and the criminal justice system, the traditional organization and functions of law enforcement, challenges to the profession in the 21st century, how the courts and corrections interrelate with law enforcement, and the juvenile justice system.
Abstract
The first section explains the evolution of law enforcement and the criminal justice system from its ancient roots to the present system, the laws all citizens are expected to obey and how they came into existence, the nature and extent of crimes, the nature of offenders, and crime’s effects on victims. The next section’s chapters explain the organization, goals, characteristics, and culture of law enforcement; community policing and problem-oriented policing; the patrol and traffic functions of most agencies; and the specialized functions for which larger police agencies are often responsible, including investigation, SWAT teams, school liaison officers, and reserve officers. The third section’s chapters explore challenges resulting from drug law offenses and gangs, the need to apprehend criminals without violating their constitutional rights, police discretion, disparity in law enforcement, police pursuit driving, police use of force, police liability, police corruption, and ethics. These sections also examine civilian review boards, educational requirements, police unions, moonlighting, acceptance of minorities and women, sexual harassment, private police, accreditation and professionalism, and police recruitment and retention. The final section emphasizes the need for collaboration and cooperation among police, courts, and corrections and explains the parallel components of the juvenile justice system. An epilog discusses the future of policing. Figures, tables, photographs, lists of chapter objectives and discussion questions, glossary, author and subject indexes, and appended law enforcement code of ethics