Policing Unrest: On the Front Lines of the Ferguson Protests

Policing Unrest provides an up-close account of policing during the Ferguson protests, offering insights from both police officers and community members. It raises important questions about police-community relations and the role of police as peacekeepers in support of social justice. The book covers topics such as police-community relationships, community policing principles, the role of an officer's characteristics, and the implications for police recruitment and training. It also explains how the Ferguson protests ushered in an era of police reform and reveals what it is like being a police officer facing public unrest.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2022
Publisher: New York University Press

Introduction:

The Ferguson protests, which followed the fatal shooting of Michael Brown by a police officer, were a watershed moment in American history. The protests brought to light deep-seated issues of racial inequality, police brutality, and the need for police reform. Policing Unrest provides an up-close account of policing during the protests, providing insights from both police officers and members of the community.

The Lived Experiences of Police Officers:

The book delves into the lived experiences of police officers during the protests. Tammy Rinehart Kochel interviews dozens of police personnel who policed the protests, offering insight into their shared experiences and providing compelling personal accounts of how they performed their jobs during the protest. The officers describe the challenges they faced, including dealing with violent protesters, managing crowds, and maintaining public safety.

Police-Community Relations:

One of the key themes of the book is police-community relations. Kochel raises important questions about the role of police as peacekeepers in support of social justice. She explores how factors such as police subculture and organizational culture stacked up against social identity during this crisis. The book also examines the role of an officer's characteristics, particularly an officer's race, in an officer's self-legitimacy.

Implications for Police Recruitment and Training:

Kochels unique access allowed her to provide a balanced perspective on police officers' cynicism and public protests against police. She argues that the need to restore police-community relations and police legitimacy through increased transparency, accountability, and procedural justice is paramount. The book offers recommendations for police recruitment and training, including diversity and inclusion training, de-escalation training, and cultural competence training.

Conclusion:

Policing Unrest is a valuable contribution to the literature on police reform and police-community relations. The book provides a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by police officers and community residents during the Ferguson protests. It sheds light on the need for increased transparency, accountability, and procedural justice in the police department. By highlighting the lived experiences of police officers and community residents, the book contributes to the ongoing conversation about police reform and the pursuit of social justice.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781479807369