This book provides the “how to’s” of police patrol, focusing on how officers on the front line perform their duties (covering both skills and techniques), meet day-to-day challenges, and manage the tasks and risks associated with modern police patrol. Drawing on theory, research, and the experience of numerous practitioners, it provides practical daily checklists and guidance for delivering primary police services: • Conducting mobile and foot patrols • Completing a preliminary investigation • Canvassing a neighborhood • Developing street contacts • Building and sustaining trust • Delivering death notifications, and more. It features interviews with frontline officers, as well as both police chiefs and supervisors to examine the role of police officers in the 21st century and their partnership with, and accountability to, the communities they serve. In addition, this book explores how modern policing has evolved by examining the research, innovation, tradition, and technology upon which it is based. It provides new perspectives and ideas as well as basic knowledge of daily practices, offering value to new and experienced police and security personnel alike; students in criminal justice, law and public safety; community leaders; and others involved in advancing police operations and community well-being.

How can police remain effective and vital in an era of unprecedented technological advances, access to information, and the global transformation of crime? Written by a long-serving officer, Canadian Policing in the 21st Century offers a rare look at street-level police work and the hidden culture behind the badge. Robert Chrismas shares experiences from his years of service to highlight areas where police can more effectively enforce laws and improve relations with the communities they serve. He proposes tactics for addressing widespread social issues such as gang and domestic violence and strategies for cooperating in international networks tackling human trafficking, internet-based child exploitation, organized crime, and terrorism. Chrismas stresses how changing demographics related to age, gender and racial diversity, and increased dangers and demands, require intensified training and higher education in policing. He highlights the need for more effective collaborative relationships between police and local, provincial, and federal governments, non-government agencies, and their communities. While the principles and goals of policing remain largely unchanged, police challenges, tools, and strategies have evolved dramatically. Chrismas's vantage point as an officer and a scholar provides an illuminating account of the Canadian justice system, and road-maps to future success.

The 7th report (HCP 364-I, session 2007-08, ISBN 9780215524867), from the Home Affairs Committee examines policing in the 21st century, with Volume 2, providing oral and written evidence, (ISBN 9780215524850). The Government aims to replace the top-down police targets with locally-set priorities and encourage greater use of officer discretion, backed by more effective supervision. At present, the Committee believes that public expectations of the police are not being met, with the public wanting the police to put a greater focus on minor crime and anti-social behaviour. Further, the police need to be more visible and responsive to the public and give greater consideration to the needs of the victim when investigating crime. Police resources have been put under greater pressure particularly where foreign nationals need to be processed. Whilst funding shortfalls have been exposed where rapid population change has occurred due to immigration.The Committee highlights a concern over the deployment of police for longer periods dealing with alcohol-related crime due to the changes in the licensing laws and are not convinced of the effectiveness of Alcohol Disorder Zones. Further, the Committee expresses concern about the large number of murder suspects released on bail, but do support amendments to the bail laws to take into account the capacity of the police forces to monitor offenders, and a presumption against bail in murder cases. There are also examples of effective police approaches in reducing gang-related knife and gun crime, combining diversionary activities and targeted intelligence-led campaigns against known offenders. The police need to find ways though to free up resources, and the Committee expresses disappointment at the lack of progress in reducing police bureaucracy. Centralisation of the development and purchase of technology through the National Policing Improvement should reduce costs and ensure systems are integrated and prevent duplication. More control should be given to local forces, with greater accountability of policing at a local level. The Committee also identifies a gap in provision for tackling serious and organised crime.

Policing in the 21st Century : Seventh report of session 2007-08, Vol. 2: Oral and written Evidence

This paper outlines the Government's proposals for reform of policing, with a move away from bureaucracy towards more democratic accountability. There will be directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners, representing their communities and understanding their crime and anti-social behaviour priorities. They will hold chief constables to account for achieving them, and will be able to fire her or him if they do not. Chief constables will be responsible for the day to day operations of their police force but accountable to the public via these individuals and not Whitehall. Regular beat meetings will allow people to challenge the police's performance and accessible 'street level' crime data will shine a light on local crime trends and concerns. Central targets will be abolished, and the police will be encouraged to use their professional judgment in performing their job. The Government will create a new National Crime Agency to lead the fight against organised crime, protect the borders and provide services best delivered at national level.

Globally, police officers are the object of unprecedented visual scrutiny. The use of mobile phones, CCTV and personal body cams means that police are not only being filmed on the job but are also filming themselves. In popular culture, police have featured heavily on the big screen since the era of silent shorts and on television since the 1930s. Their fictional portrayals today take on added significance in light of social unrest surrounding cases of police brutality and discrimination. These essays explore 21st century portrayals of police on film and television. Chapters often emphasize the Black Lives Matter movement and consider the tone, quality, appropriateness and intention of film and television featuring police activity. Extensively covered works include Mindhunter, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Cops, Criminal Minds and RoboCop, and among the major topics addressed are policing communities, hunting serial killers, police animals, and police in historic settings ranging from the 19th century through the present day and into science fiction futures.