Taking an evidence-based approach to understanding police culture, this thorough and accessible book critically reviews existing research and offers new insights on theories and definitions. Tom Cockcroft, an authority on the subject, addresses a range of contemporary issues including diversity, police reform and police professionalisation. This invaluable review: - Identifies and discusses differing conceptions of police culture; - Explores the contribution of different disciplinary and methodological approaches to our understanding of police culture; - Assesses how culture relates to many different operational aspects of policing; - Contextualises our understanding of police culture in relation to both contemporary police agendas and wider social change. For students, researchers and police officers alike, this is an accessible and timely appraisal of police culture.This is an accessible and timely study of the impacts of police culture on both practitioners and the people they serve. Cockcroft takes an evidence-based approach to the subject, critically reviewing research to date and offering new insights on theories and definitions. Exploring the contribution of different disciplinary and methodological approaches to our understanding of police culture, he identifies and discusses differing conceptions of police culture and contextualises our understanding of it in relation to both contemporary police agendas and wider social change. Addressing a range of contemporary issues including diversity, police reform and police professionalization, this is an essential companion to understanding contemporary policing practice for students, researchers and police officers alike.