The overarching purpose of this book is to provide the reader with an examination of some of the most cutting edge issues impacting American Police. It examines both the present state of policing and what’s promising in the future. In essence, the book considers the trends, issues, technologies, and challenges that define policing in the present and the impact they will have on policing in the future. It is written for an upper-level college policing course.
The Law Enforcement Enterprise
Features of American Law Enforcement
Types of Law Enforcement
Police Role
Role Duplication
Consolidation
Review Questions
The Development of the American Police
English Influence
Development of American Police
Three Major Eras of Policing
August Vollmer
O.W. Wilson
Review Questions
Recruitment and Selection of Police Officers
Recruitment Strategies
Selection Process
Selection Devices
Emerging Issues
A Profile of the Desired Police Officer
Review Questions
Training
Training Environment
Approaches to Training Delivery
Academy Curriculum
Future Curriculum
Field Training
In-Service Training
Review Questions
College Education: Is it Necessary for Police Officers?
Past Recommendations
Advantages of College Educated Police
The Research
Model Curriculum
Review Questions
Police Organization, Management, and Leadership
Defining the Police Organization
Current Organizational Model
Emerging organizational model
Levels of Management of Supervision
Leading Generations at Work
Leading Organizational Change
Review Questions
Technology and the Future
Technological Developments in Policing
The Current State of Technology
Crime Detection and Analysis Technology
Weapons and Crime Control Technology
Management Technology
Future Trends
Review Questions
Police Patrol Operations
Changing Nature of Patrol
Patrol Officers
Patrol Methods
Patrol Deployment
Patrol Response to Specific Incidents
Multijurisdictional Response
Review Questions
Community Oriented Policing
Changing Roles
Community Oriented Policing
Problem Oriented Policing
Evaluations of Community Policing
Future of Community Policing
Review Questions
Criminal Investigations
Where We’ve Been
Solvability Factors
Advances in Investigations
Investigative Challenges to Specific Crimes
Intelligence-Led Investigations
Review Questions
Policing Diverse Communities
Changing Community Demographics
Skeletons in the Closet
Contemporary Problems
Effective Strategies
Review Questions
Racial Profiling
Extent of the Problem
Criminal versus Racial Profiling
What Minority Citizens Say
Emerging Legislation
Data Collection
Strategies to Minimize Perceptions of Profiling
Review Questions
When Police Do Wrong
Police Misconduct
Police Corruption
Excessive Force
Organizational Culture
Responsibilities of Police Leadership
Review Questions
The Toll of Police Work
Stress and Burnout
Extent of the Problem
Danger Signs
Suicide
Approaches to Stress Management
Role of Police Leadership
Review Questions
Biography
Michael L. Birzer, PhD, is affiliated with Wichita State University. His academic interests center on police operations and police behavior, police training, racial profiling and qualitative research methods. He has published over 40 refereed journal articles, dozens of technical reports and trade magazine publications as well as nine textbooks.
