Rethinking and Reforming American Policing: Leadership Challenges and Future Opportunities

The policing in the US and many western nations is in an era of crisis, facing extensive calls for reformation and change. This edited book outlines the major challenges and changes needed to achieve a more stable future for the policing profession and police organizations. It focuses on how leaders should understand and approach their role during times of instability and uncertainty and discusses some interviews conducted with police leaders, particularly chiefs as agents of change and reform. The following chapters from academics seek to define paths that policing can take toward needed changes that will increase legitimacy, trust, and equality of policing services.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 411 pages
Publication date: 19 December 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

The policing sector in the United States and numerous Western countries is currently experiencing a profound crisis, with widespread demands for reform and transformation. This edited book presents a comprehensive overview of the significant challenges and necessary changes required to secure a more stable future for the policing profession and police organizations. The chapters in this book are contributed by innovative police leaders and officers, as well as esteemed academics with expertise in the field, offering valuable insights into how reform can be achieved within the police force. The primary focus of this publication is on how leaders should navigate their roles during periods of instability and uncertainty. It begins by examining the factors that have led to the current state of crisis in policing and conducting interviews with prominent police leaders, particularly chiefs, who are instrumental in driving change and reform. These interviews provide valuable perspectives on the historical evolution of policing, its impact on the contemporary environment, and potential strategies for meaningful change while considering unintended consequences.

The subsequent chapters are authored by experienced police leaders and personnel, who share their insights into the factors that have brought policing to this critical juncture of transformation and reform. They discuss the historical developments in policing during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the challenges faced by the sector, and the opportunities for positive change. The authors also explore potential strategies to create meaningful change while considering the potential unintended consequences of such reforms.

The following chapters from academic scholars aim to define the pathways that policing can take to achieve the necessary changes that will enhance the legitimacy, trust, and equality of policing services. These chapters address critical issues such as police misconduct, racial profiling, and community-police relations, and offer insights into strategies for addressing these challenges and fostering positive change.

This book is of immense value to students, academics, and professionals interested in police organization and administration, police leadership, and contemporary issues in policing and criminal justice. It provides a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing the policing sector and offers practical insights and strategies for reform and improvement. By examining the past, present, and future of policing, this book contributes to the ongoing dialogue and efforts to build a more just, equitable, and effective police force for the benefit of all communities.

Weight: 559g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030888985
Edition number: 1st ed. 2022