Does a more academic type of police education produce new police officers that are reluctant to patrol the streets? What is the impact of gender diversity and political orientation on a police students' career aspirations and attitudes to policing? These are some of the questions addressed by this longitudinal project, following police students in seven European countries. The unique data material makes it possible to explore a wide range of topics relevant to the future development of policing, police education and police science more generally.
Part I presents an overview of the different goals and models of police education in the seven participating countries. Part II describes what type of student is attracted to police education, taking into consideration educational background, political orientation and career aspirations. Part III shows the social impact of police education by examining students' orientations towards emerging competence areas; students' careeraspirations; and students' attitudes concerning trust, cynicism and legalism.
The overall results show that police students are strikingly similar across different types of police education. Students in academic institutions are at least as interested in street patrolling as students in vocational training institutions. Gender and recruitment policies matters more in relation to career preferences than education models. The national context plays a more important role than the type of police education system. Written in a clear and direct style, this book will appeal to students and scholars in policing, criminology, sociology, social theory and cultural studies and those interested in how police education shapes its graduates.
Part I presents an overview of the different goals and models of police education in the seven participating countries. Part II describes what type of student is attracted to police education, taking into consideration educational background, political orientation and career aspirations. Part III shows the social impact of police education by examining students' orientations towards emerging competence areas; students' careeraspirations; and students' attitudes concerning trust, cynicism and legalism.
The overall results show that police students are strikingly similar across different types of police education. Students in academic institutions are at least as interested in street patrolling as students in vocational training institutions. Gender and recruitment policies matters more in relation to career preferences than education models. The national context plays a more important role than the type of police education system. Written in a clear and direct style, this book will appeal to students and scholars in policing, criminology, sociology, social theory and cultural studies and those interested in how police education shapes its graduates.
The international and comparative research on police education and training described in this book offers fundamental empirical insights regarding an aspect of vital concern in police studies. Researchers and policy makers alike will find in this volume a wealth of information and detail that will provide insights into career entry and early professional socialization into the police organization in seven European countries. Original research of this kind practically demonstrates the important contribution of independent academic research on the public understanding of police institutions.
James Sheptycki, Professor of Criminology, York University, Canada
The book answers important questions about how to recruit and train police, and ways to nurture healthy perspectives among officers and launch successful careers in law enforcement. Sweeping across seven regions of the northern hemisphere, the research behind these findings and recommendations promises to be applicable to a broad variety of policing traditions. There is nothing else like it.
Wesley G. Skogan, Professor of Political Science, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, USA
This book is an eye-opener for all those engaged in policing. The authors address the broader issues related to police recruitment, education and its academisation. Debunking widespread myths, they add essential nuances to its complexity and offer a research agenda for the future.
Marleen Easton, Professor Governing & Policing Security, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University
How can we 'make' police officers? What we need is a consistent democratic approach from recruitment to further education. But how can we neither produce Dirty Harrys nor Legalists? How can we implement the right philosophy of policing into police students? This study by a European group of police scholars provides us with substantial data and interpretation. A must read for police educators all over Europe.
Thomas Feltes, Senior professor in Criminology and Police Science, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
James Sheptycki, Professor of Criminology, York University, Canada
The book answers important questions about how to recruit and train police, and ways to nurture healthy perspectives among officers and launch successful careers in law enforcement. Sweeping across seven regions of the northern hemisphere, the research behind these findings and recommendations promises to be applicable to a broad variety of policing traditions. There is nothing else like it.
Wesley G. Skogan, Professor of Political Science, Institute for Policy Research, Northwestern University, USA
This book is an eye-opener for all those engaged in policing. The authors address the broader issues related to police recruitment, education and its academisation. Debunking widespread myths, they add essential nuances to its complexity and offer a research agenda for the future.
Marleen Easton, Professor Governing & Policing Security, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University
How can we 'make' police officers? What we need is a consistent democratic approach from recruitment to further education. But how can we neither produce Dirty Harrys nor Legalists? How can we implement the right philosophy of policing into police students? This study by a European group of police scholars provides us with substantial data and interpretation. A must read for police educators all over Europe.
Thomas Feltes, Senior professor in Criminology and Police Science, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany