Routledge International Handbook of Police Ethnography

Ethnography has a long history in the humanities and social sciences and has recently been revived in police studies. This Handbook explores the multidisciplinary field of police ethnography, highlighting its theoretical depth, geographical boundaries, multi-site experiments, and multi-disciplinarity. It provides an original and international contribution to the field, offering a comprehensive and overarching guide to police ethnography. The results offer a unique insight into the perspectives of people and organizations that can hide in plain sight.

Format: Hardback
Length: 660 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Ethnography has a rich and enduring history within the humanities and social sciences, serving as a foundational framework in the field of police studies for over six decades. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of ethnographic practice among police scholars, driven by a renewed interest in understanding the complex and evocative worlds of law enforcement. This Handbook is a response to this revival, offering a comprehensive guide to police ethnography.

Students and academics are returning to ethnographic research and the study of police in situ to explore the rich tapestry of police cultures and practices. The list of ethnographic sites is vast, encompassing a wide range of settings and communities. These sites have played a crucial role in revitalizing ethnographic endeavors, contributing to innovation, theoretical depth, broad geographical boundaries, multi-site experiments, and multi-disciplinarity.

Police ethnography encompasses a diverse range of approaches and methodologies, drawing from various fields such as anthropology, sociology, criminology, and psychology. Ethnographers employ a variety of techniques, including participant observation, interviews, and field notes, to capture the nuanced experiences and perspectives of police officers, civilians, and communities affected by policing.

One of the key strengths of police ethnography is its ability to provide a holistic understanding of police and policing. By immersing themselves in the daily lives and routines of police officers, ethnographers can gain a deeper appreciation of the challenges, complexities, and ethical dilemmas faced by law enforcement professionals. This insight can inform policy and practice, leading to more effective and equitable policing strategies.

In addition to its theoretical significance, police ethnography has practical applications in the field. Ethnographic research can help identify areas of concern and improve police-community relations by shedding light on the experiences and perspectives of marginalized communities. It can also assist in developing more effective training programs and strategies for de-escalating conflicts and promoting community safety.

This Handbook aims to encapsulate the revival of police ethnography by exploring its multidisciplinary field and cataloguing the ongoing ethnographic work. It offers an original and international contribution to the field of police studies and research methods, providing a comprehensive and overarching guide to police ethnography. While paying homage to the classics of the past, this Handbook also showcases the innovative breadth and diversity of these narratives.

Ethnography, as a research method, can be messy, challenging, and sometimes uncooperative. However, its results offer a unique insight into the perspectives of people and organizations that may go unnoticed in traditional research methods. By immersing themselves in the lives and experiences of those involved in law enforcement, ethnographers can uncover hidden narratives, power dynamics, and cultural norms that shape the practices of police and policing.

This Handbook is designed to be an accessible and compelling read for academics, researchers, students, and practitioners engaged in police and criminology. It provides a solid foundation for understanding the complexities of police ethnography and its potential to inform policy and practice. The chapters in this Handbook are organized in a logical and accessible manner, with each chapter offering a comprehensive overview of a specific aspect of police ethnography.

In conclusion, ethnography has a long and rich history within the humanities and social sciences, and its revival in the field of police studies is a testament to the enduring significance of this research method. This Handbook offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary guide to police ethnography, providing a valuable resource for academics, researchers, students, and practitioners alike. By exploring the diverse perspectives and experiences of police officers, civilians, and communities, police ethnography can help us better understand the complex and multifaceted world of law enforcement and contribute to the development of more effective and equitable policing strategies.

Weight: 1420g
Dimension: 246 x 174 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367539399