The Danger Imperative: Violence, Death, and the Soul of Policing

Racial disparities in police violence persist despite efforts to address them. The Danger Imperative provides insight into how police culture shapes officers' perception and practice of violence, reinforcing a cultural preoccupation with violence. This violence-centric culture perpetuates enduring inequalities in police violence, as it funnels police hyperfocus on survival into poor minority neighborhoods.

Format: Hardback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 13 February 2024
Publisher: Columbia University Press

Police violence is a pervasive issue that persists despite decades of efforts to address it. Racial disparities in police violence are stark and continue to be a source of concern for communities across the United States. Amid public outcry and a crisis of police legitimacy, it is essential to understand not only how police perceive and use violence but also why these disparities exist.

The Danger Imperative, a groundbreaking book by Alex Vitale, provides unprecedented access to three police departments and draws on more than 100 interviews and 1,000 hours on patrol. The book offers vital insight into how police culture shapes officers' perception and practice of violence. From the front seat of a patrol car, the book demonstrates how the institution of policing reinforces a cultural preoccupation with violence through academy training, departmental routines, powerful symbols, and officers' street-level behavior.

This violence-centric culture makes no explicit mention of race, relying on the colorblind language of "threat" and "officer safety." Nonetheless, existing patterns of systemic disadvantage funnel police hyperfocus on survival into poor minority neighborhoods. Without requiring individual bigotry, this combination of social structure, culture, and behavior perpetuates enduring inequalities in police violence.

The Danger Imperative is a trailblazing, on-the-ground account of modern policing that shows that violence is the logical consequence of an institutional culture that privileges officer survival over public safety. The book highlights the need for reform and emphasizes the importance of community-oriented policing that prioritizes public safety and trust. It calls for a shift away from the militarization of police forces and towards a more equitable and accountable system of law enforcement.

In conclusion, police violence is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive and nuanced understanding. The Danger Imperative provides valuable insight into how police culture shapes officers' perception and practice of violence, and why racial disparities in police violence persist. By highlighting the need for reform and emphasizing the importance of community-oriented policing, the book offers a path forward to a more just and equitable society.

Dimension: 216 x 140 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231198462