NCJ Number
193514
Date Published
2000
Length
416 pages
Annotation
This book provides a comprehensive examination of policing in the United States.
Abstract
Chapter 1 provides a review of the evolution of policing and some of the primary individuals and commissions throughout U.S. history. Chapter 2 includes information of the contemporary status of Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies and their role and functions. Chapter 3 looks at the police subculture and how private citizens are recruited, tested and socialized into their role as police officers. Chapter 4 considers how police agencies are organized and administered, and how administrators, middle managers, and supervisors perform their functions. A management model is used to help understand the roles and functions of police administrators. Chapter 5 explores the patrol functions and includes a discussion of community policing and problem solving concepts. The chapter shows that the patrol function is the backbone of policing. Chapter 6 examines criminal investigations, including the field of forensic science and criminalistics. Chapter 7 focuses on police problems and methods, including policing militias, the mafia, teen gangs, small towns, the homeless, and the borders. Chapter 8 examines the rule of law and defines constitutional principles that direct and constrain police activity. This chapter demonstrates the need for officers to understand and enforce the law properly. Chapter 9 looks at police accountability to the public, which includes issues of police ethics, violence, use of force, and corruption. Chapter 10 examines police civil liability and Chapter 11 describes a number of trends and issues, including rights of police officers, women and minorities in policing, the private police, unionization, contract, and consolidated policing, civilianization and accreditation of police agencies, higher education for police and police stress. Chapter 12 analyzes policing in four foreign countries: China, Saudi Arabia, Northern Ireland, and Mexico. Chapter 13 examines police technology, including the uses of computers, electronics and imaging, and communication systems. Chapter 14 looks at the future of policing and argues that the police would greatly benefit by anticipating the future. Name and subject index