The Politics of the Police

Fourth Edition

Robert Reiner

Robert Reiner, regarded by many as the leading academic writer on policing, draws upon the findings of police research to provide readers with a fascinating critique of the history, sociology, and politicisation of the police.
A stimulating and insightful discussion of the debates and controversies that surround the police, the author encourages readers to engage with the subject and to question established theories and perspectives.
An extensive bibliography is provided for those keen to broaden their knowledge of policing and the research undertaken by different scholars.
An accompanying website provides updates and web links enabling readers to keep abreast of new developments between editions.

New to this Edition:

A new chapter on developing theory and research on policing: Watching the watchers: theory and research in policing studies
Chapter 2 on the rise and fall of police legitimacy has been expanded to suggest a third stage 'beyond legitimation'
All chapters have been heavily revised and updated to take in recent research and law and policy developments

The Politics of the Police

Fourth Edition

Robert Reiner

Description

The fourth edition of the popular and highly acclaimed Politics of the Police has been completely revised and updated to take into account of recent changes in the law, policy, and organization of policing.

From Clint Eastwood's Dirty Harry to Life on Mars, Robert Reiner explores the highly-charged debates that surround policing, including the various controversies and developments that have led to a change in the public's opinion of the police in recent years, and analyses the proposals for reform.

The book sets out to analyze how the police are perceived and the impact the mass media has on the public's perception and what we can expect in the future, given current research into police working practices and proposals for reform.

Online Resource Centre
Updates
Web links

The Politics of the Police

Fourth Edition

Robert Reiner

Part I: Theory and research
1: Watching the watchers: theory and research in policing studies
Part II: History
2: The birth of the blues: the establishment of professional policing in Britain 1829-1856
3: Out of the blue: police legitimacy 1856-2009 - construction, deconstruction, reconstruction
Part III: Sociology of policing
4: Cop cultures
5: Demystifying the police: social research and police practice
6: Mystifying the police: the media presentation of policing
Part IV: Law and politics
7: Police powers and accountability
8: Conclusion: beyond Life on Mars: a history of the future

The Politics of the Police

Fourth Edition

Robert Reiner

Author Information

Robert Reiner, Professor of Criminology, London School of Economics and Political Science

The Politics of the Police

Fourth Edition

Robert Reiner

Reviews and Awards

Review from previous edition "The publication of the third edition marks an important rearticulation of the constabulary ethic and the doctrine of policing... the new encyclopaedists who follow in Reiner's wake will struggle to define the politics of policing for their time - James Sheptycki, Durham University in Policing and Society

This is a first class academic book that can be as engrossing as a novel, even for a non-expert on the subject. It will be of use to anyone who comes into contact with the police regularly and aid the understanding of anyone who has an opinion on any aspect of the police or policing. - The Criminal Lawyer