Holding down the Fort: Policing Communities and Community-Oriented Policing in Rural Germany

This book explores the relationship between institutionalized images of policing and contextual, situative, and local interactions where the human representatives of policing come into contact with residents. It challenges the political and theoretical association of specific forms of "Western" policing with democratic society and highlights the local nature of policing in terms of how police officers imagine their communities and broader societal expectations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 418 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2022
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

This Open-Access-book delves into the intricate relationship between institutionalized images and perceptions of policing, the prevalent monolithic ideas prevalent in most, if not all, Western law enforcement agencies. It also explores the contextual, situational, and local interactions where the human representatives of policing, street-level officers, come into contact with residents. The political and theoretical association of specific forms of "Western" policing with democratic society is exemplified in the case of German integration. Narratives of reform and the establishment of new democratic police agencies in the "new German states" contrast with the experiences and statements of officers who continued to serve following (Re)Unification. Officers who primarily present their works in terms of their local responsibilities, expectations, and the unique and individual relationships they foster with their communities downplay the significance of high-level policing policy.

Based on a two-year ethnographic study of policing in a rural county in the German state of Brandenburg, this book delves into the local nature of policing, examining how police officers perceive their communities and how they align with broader societal expectations and assumptions about the role of police. It explores the effectiveness of policing in meeting societal needs and addresses the challenges and complexities inherent in the policing profession.

The book offers valuable insights into the dynamics of policing, shedding light on the complex interplay between institutional frameworks, local contexts, and the human experiences of officers and residents. It challenges the notion of a uniform and universal approach to policing and emphasizes the importance of recognizing and respecting the diversity of communities and their specific needs. By examining the local nature of policing, this book contributes to the ongoing debate about the role of law enforcement in society and provides valuable recommendations for improving police practices and fostering positive relationships between police and the communities they serve.

Weight: 557g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783658397722
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023