An ideal introduction for police recruits, criminal justice practitioners, criminologists and general readers. Written in a clear style and based on the experiences of author Peter Villiers who was for many years a tutor at the National Police Staff College, Bramshill. A convenient handbook for anyone wanting an accessible yet thought-provoking account of a key public institution. Covers such key topics asThe nature and purposes of policingA short historyThe 'original authority' of police constablesPolice forces and police authoritiesDetective workSquads, teams, units and operationsTraining and leadershipCrime prevention and crime reductionForensics, science and technologyPowers of arrest, detention and chargeEthics, discipline and integrityCommon standards and valuesProtection of the publicTerrorism (including modern-day powers)The Serious Organized Crime AgencyPolice community support officersCorruption and the use of 'deception'Policing in the era of human rightsInterpol and EuropolExamples of policing from abroadAlso contains a Glossary of Words, Phrases, Acronyms and Abbreviations and a Timeline.Reviews'This book will be a valuable text because it covers the broad varying aspects of policing and investigation, providing a very useful insight. The author is certainly not reluctant to state his own views and I am of the view that this will provide a catalyst for productive discussion': Dr Peter Hall, Coventry University.'An authoritative account of the historical development and contemporary practice of police work. It will provide useful insights into policing to students pursuing academic courses in Higher Education and will be of considerable use and interest to those considering policing as a career as well as to serving practitioners': Policing Today'A substantial introduction to Policing ... will offer any potential recruit an opportunity to discuss and debate before he/she commences learning Police law with its all-important definitions and Powers of Arrest': Internet Law Book Reviews'A valuable text because it covers the broad varying aspects of policing and investigation, providing a very useful insight. The author is certainly not reluctant to state his own views and I am of the view that this will provide a catalyst for productive discussion': Dr Peter Hall, Coventry University'A good informative book, explaining policy to practice': John Rotherham, St Helens College'Very well structured. Liked the Glossary and Timeline. Excellent historical base': Ann Kneebone, Truro and Penwith CollegeAuthorPeter Villiers is a police adviser and consultant, editor of the international website journal Ethics in Policing and an occasional columnist for Police Review. He lectured at the Police Staff College, Bramshill from 1986 to 2004 on ethics, leadership and human rights, including to police officers from across the United Kingdom and around the world. He has written two earlier books for Waterside Press: Police Leadership in the 21st Century: Philosophy, Doctrine and Developments (2003) and Policing A Safe, Just and Tolerant Society: An International Model for Policing (2004)(both with Dr. Robert Adlam). He is also the author of a range of further works on policing, ethics, human rights and leadership.