NCJ Number
176239
Date Published
1995
Length
319 pages
Annotation
Policing represents one-third of the criminal justice system, and a systems perspective on policing is offered that is based on three tiers--local, State, and Federal.
Abstract
The text identifies the most visible component of policing as patrol and notes the police patrol division is the starting point for most police careers and citizen contacts. Functions, services and delivery, dominant features, and effectiveness of police patrols are discussed. The criminal investigation component of policing is examined in terms of why police officers want to be detectives, the investigation process, investigative units, and techniques for conducting criminal investigations. The organization and management of police agencies are considered, with emphasis on organizational and management theories, management styles, and administrative issues such as discipline and labor relations. The text also covers police and the law, the use of police discretion, police-community relations, the recruitment of quality police personnel, and the personality of police officers. The text concludes with a discussion of significant current and future issues in policing, including the use of force, AIDS, legalities, technology, and policing as a profession. References, tables, and photographs