The fifth edition of the popular and highly acclaimed The Politics of the Police has been completely revised, expanded, and updated to take in recent changes in the law, policy, and organization of policing. Benjamin Bowling, Robert Reiner, and James Sheptycki, regarded as leading figures in the field, draw upon the findings of police research to provide readers with a stimulating and insightful discussion of the debates and controversies that surround the police, and analyse the proposals for reform. Covering a wide range of empirical and theoretical issues, this book is transnational in scope and reflects the growing diversity of policing forms in today's globalized world.

"The Politics of the Police is a classic. This is essential reading for anyone interested in why politics matters to policing." - Michelle D. Bonner, Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Victoria

"Long awaited, the new edition of this classic is the book that every student, scholar and practitioner of policing must read." - David Dixon, Professor of Law, University of new South Wales

"A rich and informative book that will be an important addition to academic and student reading lists." - Jenny Fleming, Professor of Criminology, University of Southampton

"This book is an indispensable resource for social scientists interested in this contentious topic." - Didier Fassin, Professor of Social Science at the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton