NCJ Number
179878
Date Published
1999
Length
601 pages
Annotation
This text is intended to provide an overview of contemporary police work and the issues facing the police and society, as well as an assessment of recommended future directions in policing.
Abstract
The first chapter explains the structure of the government, the separation of powers, and the principles of Federalism; the roles and functions of police in the criminal justice system; and the nature of Federal, State, and local police agencies. A chapter on the history of policing provides an overview of policing in ancient times and traces police development in England and the United States. Police personnel systems are examined with respect to a theory of police selection; affirmative action and police selection; the selection process; basic, field, and in-service training; police officer career development; and the impact of race and gender on police careers. An analysis of police organization and management focus on principles and levels of police organization and administration, classical organizational principles, human relations organizational theory, and systems theory and policing. Further chapters discuss police operations, including patrol, investigations, traffic law enforcement, and police paramilitary units; the nature and use of police discretion and the control of police discretion; and varying perspectives on police culture, behavior, and police occupational stress. Other chapters focus on police ethics, police misconduct, and police use of force; civil liability and the police; public attitudes toward the police; police-community relations; the police role in crime prevention; and drug policies and drug law enforcement. The final chapter examines the future of policing, with emphasis on predictions regarding police roles and functions, political and legal change, and technology; the management of information and communication with enhanced technology; and technology for field operations. Tables, figures, photographs, chapter reference lists, glossary, and name and subject indexes