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Introduction to American Policing

NCJ Number
198509
Author(s)
Darl H. Champion, Sr. Ed.D.; Michael K. Hooper Ph.D.
Date Published
2003
Length
687 pages
Annotation
This textbook contains 15 chapters designed to provide students with an understanding of the evolution of American policing and its contemporary form and functions.
Abstract
The three chapters of Part 1 examine the context and history of policing within the criminal justice system. In Part 2, two chapters discuss the police role and organization. They address the functional roles of police in a democratic society, emerging roles of the police, and the structure and nature of law enforcement at the municipal, State, and Federal levels. The nature of private security and its relationship with public protective services are also discussed. The two chapters of Part 3 explain the making of a police officer, including the processes of recruitment, selection, and training. An overview of the development of essential skills for policing focuses on communications, critical thinking, and problem-solving. Part 4, which consists of three chapters, analyzes police behavior, integrity, and police compliance with the rule of law. Stress and its effect on the individual officer and the organization are considered. The components of integrity, i.e., professionalism, discretion, and ethics, are emphasized. The powers of arrest, search, and seizure are reviewed. The three chapters of Part 5 focus on the delivery of police services. Police patrol, detective responsibilities, the work of juvenile officers and traffic officers, as well as undercover operations are examined in the context of particular missions and operational environments. The discussion of police-community relations encompasses attitude formation, methods for improving relations between the police and community, understanding diversity, and responding to citizen complaints. The two chapters of the concluding section consider research/planning, applications of new technologies, and the future of policing. Various study aids for the student accompany each chapter. Appended report-writing guidelines, essential Spanish for the police officer, glossary, and subject index

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