The Police and Society: Touchstone Readings

The articles in this collection reveal fundamental assumptions about the relationship of the police to society. Articles were selected for both their complementary and their competing natures. They serve as touchstones for one another, measuring and questioning the value of previous conceptions about how policing fits into the broader social context. Many of the articles challenge the methods by which information was acquired, how practices evolved from that information, and the background assumptions that drove the construction of practices and theories. The editor’s purpose in assembling this provocative volume is to facilitate systematic inquiry—to help readers discover connections, to detect mutual influence, and to trace divergences of opinion. Some of the issues raised include: What is the function of the police? What does "the public" expect of the police institution? How many "publics" are there? Who benefits from police service? How are public safety and social order secured while maintaining individual rights and freedoms? To what extent do our assumptions about the police and society reflect our values and demands? To what extent do the police generate expectations? Is policing at a critical crossroads? If we analyze the recurring, central themes in policing as informed participants, perhaps our constructions and perceptions will better reflect the dynamic interrelationships between the police and society and the efficacy of those relationships for the future.