An Introduction to Policing

by John S. Dempsey, Linda S. Forst

Written by two professors with extensive real-life experience in all ranks and assignments of policing, this introductory text is ideal for those interested in learning who the police are, what they do, and how they do it. No other text can offer such a current insider's look at what policing means today. With a remarkable blend of solid theory and practice, INTRODUCTION TO POLICING features comprehensive coverage of all major topics, emphasizing today's most current technology, the newest statistical data, and important new directions such as homeland defense and community policing. A "must read" for anyone considering a career in law enforcement, this book gives students straightforward information about the many rewards, and the often intense stress, that are part of police work.

Genres: Nonfiction, Textbooks

528 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[S]

This is one of the better books that I have read for criminal justice degree. All the other books I have read for my classes have been outdated and this book finally reflect current issues that have been happening since 2001ish-2017ish and some older issues. It does have similar data, facts, and paragraphs as other criminal justice books that you will probably read for you degree.
I was impressed that this book finally mentions BLM movement, minorities and First Nation communities. Granted, I wish it was a whole chapter on each minority community instead of just a 500 word essay about them. BUT it was a nice change to learn more about the minority communities that actually reflected current conflicts they have with the police.
I do wish there was more about those groups but its better than just reading outdated statistics about how many are in jail vs. white in 1990, or how those groups are apparently overrepresented in jail. Do not get me wrong, I love looking at that data it adds to the book to prove the point but it was refreshing that this had current data.
Now for me, the only thing I did not like in this was it focused on LA, Huston, Chicago and New York when it came to the minority communities, which I understand why. To me that was redundant to every other book out there. It would have been refreshing to focus on Maine, Arizona or another place that has a large Indigenous population, or El Paso for another minority communities and so on so forth. Focusing on different Cities around the country would have been more insightful.
Anyway good book.

[Jess | dapper.reads]

As far as textbooks go this one was average. I feel like other resources have more information with a better layout.

[Callie James]

Amazing amount of information covered concisely and in thoughtful order.