The three chapters of Section I provide the context within which to understand contemporary policing, including its history and traditions, the laws under which it operates and which it enforces, and those who disobey the laws and their victims. Section II is designed to help the reader understand the traditional organization and functions of law enforcement. First, an overview of the organization, goals, characteristics, and culture is presented, followed by descriptions of two approaches to policing that are gaining popularity throughout the country, i.e., community policing and problem-oriented policing. This is followed by a discussion of the general functions of most agencies, namely, patrol and traffic, as well as the specialized functions larger agencies perform, such as investigation, SWAT teams, school liaison officers, and reserve officers. Section III explores significant challenges to the policing profession in the 21st century. These are drugs and gangs, policing within the legal parameters set for police, issues of police conduct, and the recruiting and selection of officers. Section IV introduces the other two components of the criminal justice system, i.e., courts and corrections, with a final chapter devoted to the juvenile justice system. This sixth edition has been updated, with the majority of sources cited being published in 1998 or 1999. The text has also been reorganized. Chapter discussion questions and references as well as extensive tables and figures