Contemporary Police Practice is a clear and concise introduction to policing in the Australian context. It explores the history of Australian policing to build a foundation for understanding contemporary police practice; examines the core functions of police; and critically analyses the foundational research which has led to significant innovations in strategies, programs, technology and administration.

The book comprehensively reviews empirical evidence to help readers develop a sophisticated understanding of current and emerging best practice principles of operational and administrative police policy.

• Provides readers with up-to-date knowledge of policing systems, organisations and behaviours
• Analyses contemporary developments in operational police practice and strategies, including community and hot spot policing
• Explores policing in diverse communities, factors influencing function of police agencies, recruitment and leadership, and examines critical issues associated with development of effective leaders.

1. The Evolution of Policing

Before the New Police

The New Police

Professional policing: Divergent trajectories

The misconduct problem

The new New Policing

Critique

PART A Contexts of Modern Policing

2. Comparative Structures and Styles of Policing

Comparing police structures by country

Organisational-level analysis

What comes next? The ‘new’ era of policing

The police role: Officer-level analysis

3. The New Plural Policing

Background

Agencies

Issues and critique

PART B Policing Functions and Critical Issues

4. The Standard Model of Policing

Strategic shifts in operational police practice

The traditional model of policing

Increasing police numbers

Patrol operations

Rapid response to calls for service

5. Community Policing and Problem-Oriented Policing

The failures of the traditional, standard model of policing: What now?

Community policing

Beat policing in Queensland

Problem-oriented policing

6. Hot Spots Policing and Third Party Policing

Hot spots policing

Third party policing

7. Investigations

Background

Investigation basics

The value of investigations

Investigations and miscarriages of justice

Designing the ‘effective detective’

A textbook investigation? The backpacker murders

8. Policing Diverse Communities

Background

Police and women

Police and indigenous people in Australia

Police and persons with mental illnesses

Better policing of diverse communities

PART C Police Administration and Organisation

9. Recruitment, Management and Leadership

Recruitment and selection of police

Selection tools

The organisation and leadership of police organisations

10. Accountability and Regulation

Contexts

The old accountabilities

The new accountabilities

Using performance indicators to develop and demonstrate improved policing

PART D Future Directions

11. The Future of Police Practice and Policy

Policing innovations: Analytic framework

Summative review: Policing innovations

Police effectiveness in crime control and prevention

Technological advancements in practice

Administrative innovations

Facing new challenges: The future?