Oxford Handbook of Police and Policing

The police are perhaps the most visible representation of government. They are charged with what has been characterized as an "impossible" mandate -- control and prevent crime, keep the peace, provide public services -- and do so within the constraints of democratic principles. The police are trusted to use deadly force when it is called for and are allowed access to our homes in cases of emergency. In fact, police departments are one of the few government agencies that can be mobilized by a simple phone call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are ubiquitous within our society, but their actions are often not well understood.


About the Author
Michael D. Reisig is Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University.

Robert J. Kane is Professor and Department Head of Criminology and Justice Studies at Drexel University. He is the author of Jammed-Up: Bad Cops, Police Misconduct, and the New York City Police Department.