Current Issues and Controversies in Policing

Examine historical, current, and future issues. KEY TOPICS: Five general areas of policing are examined: (1) Selection, Recruitment and Training; (2) New Philosophies and Strategies; (3) Police Management and Operations; (4) Police Misconduct and Accountability; (5) the Future of Policing. MARKET: Intro to Policing, Issues in Policing

This text examines the major issues and controversies facing police officers and provides the reader with a solid understanding of the state of policing in the U. S. today.  The main theme of this text is change in policing, and the issues that shape the policing community ― past and present.

Each chapter begins by placing its issues in historical context, then tracing how issues have evolved over time and finally discussing the resultant current challenges of today.

Five general areas of policing are examined:

o        (1) Selection, Recruitment and Training;

o        (2) New Philosophies and Strategies;

o        (3) Police Management and Operations;

o        (4) Police Misconduct and Accountability;

o        (5) The Future of Policing.

To reinforce the material for students, each chapter contains several pedagogical devices including: introductory and summary sections, lists of key words, and 5-10 discussion questions that the professor can use to test students’ knowledge of the material and foster discussion in class.