The first chapter narrates the precise social, political, and economic context in which demands for police accountability re-emerged in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The second chapter examines wider theoretical questions about community, representation, and participation which must be addressed by those seeking to democratize the police. The next three chapters focus on the political struggle over police accountability that unfolded in Manchester, England, between the late 1970's and 1985. Subsequent chapters document the considerable impact of national shifts on local police accountability campaigns in Manchester. The author illustrates how the political unpopularity of the Manchester City Council's police monitoring initiative reached new heights and how it was dramatically jettisoned by the council in favor of politically advantageous community safety strategies. The final chapter reflects on more general lessons to be learned from various attempts to create democratic structures of representation and participation in Manchester policing matters. 336 references