Contemporary Policing: Controversies, Challenges, and Solutions: An Anthology

Contemporary Policing: Controversies, Challenges, and Solutions (An Anthology) edited by Quint C. Thurman, Jihong Zhao (Roxbury Publishing Company) A primary purpose of this anthology is to provide readers with an up-to-date perspective on contemporary policing and emergent is-sues. In part we focus on controversial topics, of which there is certainly no shortage; we also look at the components of policing that might be broken or antiquated, of which there are also more than a few, and which are in need of resolution or reform. Finally, in addition to controversies and challenges, we also seek to offer the reader some examples of solutions that appear promising, and surprisingly enough, we did find some of these.In putting together this anthology we committed ourselves to looking at excellent scholarship that is also very recent-the oldest article in the bunch is from 1996, ten of the thirty featured articles were published in 2000 or later, and six articles are new. This anthology may indeed be the most contemporary collection of policing articles currently available to academicians, practitioners, and students.This anthology brings together an outstanding collection of articles on contemporary policing, written by some of the leading experts in the field. The first four selections examine the major new developments with respect to re-thinking the role of the police in American society. Lawrence W. Sherman opens the collection with a discussion of the basic issue for the police in a democratic society: the trust and confidence of citizens in criminal justice institutions. Ronald V. Clarke discusses both problem-oriented policing and community policing. Eli B. Silverman examines CompStat, a new administrative tool that has emerged as the most important innovation for enhancing police response to crime and disorder and responsiveness to community needs. Williard M. Oliver, meanwhile, looks at the processes by which innovation such as community policing and CompStat are diffused (or fail to diffuse) through the law enforcement community and become institutionalized.Part II covers specific programs for controlling crime and disorder. Lawrence W. Sherman opens the section with a discussion of the larger police goal of crime prevention. The common theme of the other selections in Part II is problem-oriented policing. David Weisburd and Lorraine Green Mazerolle ex-amine the effectiveness of "hot spot" policing, a place-oriented approach that is widely regarded as the most promising police strategy. Glensor, Peak, and Correia examine another problem-oriented program that shifts the focus to crime victims and away from criminal offenders. Finally, Hochstein and Thurmanlook at another problem-oriented program that seeks to ensure safety in public housing units by screening out suspected offenders.Part III examines a set of issues related to the internal management of police departments, including the role of middle management, job satisfaction among offic