Issues in Policing: Investigating Current Controversies

Issues in Policing: Investigating Current Controversies explores a variety of contemporary challenges within the field of policing, from racial tensions between police departments and their communities to affirmative action in police staffing to debates over the militarization of the police. The text is organized into 11 chapters with each critically investigating a particular aspect of policing. The opening chapter provides readers with a contextual foundation by discussing the relevance of sociology and criminology in understanding street crime as a social problem and policing as a possible solution. Additional chapters introduce a critical view of policing and discuss a variety of salient, relevant topics, including the movement to defend civil liberties and enhance police accountability, diversifying the force, disputes surrounding funding, trends in solution rates, and controversies erupting over officer-involved shootings. Issues in Policing provides a comprehensive overview of the sociological aspects of policing, including the historical context of major changes, critical perspectives, social conflicts, and policy debates. It is an ideal textbook for programs in law enforcement and criminal justice, especially courses about police and society that address current challenges and calls for reform and reimagining public safety.