1st Edition

The Scottish Police Officer

By Daniel Donnelly Copyright 2014
    208 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    208 Pages 4 B/W Illustrations
    by Routledge

    The structure of policing is undergoing change in Scotland at present and the profile of the police officer differs from that of the past. This book takes an informative approach and offers a unique account and insight into the Scottish police organisation, describing the ‘Scottish police officer’ from the point of recruitment through to training, development and specialist policing.

    Written by an ex-senior police officer, this book examines how the qualified police officer goes about his/her daily work policing and how this has changed over time as a result of organised crime, terrorism and the changing priorities of the public and politicians. The contribution of non-police officers such as police civilian staff, auxiliaries and the private sector, plays a key role in the policing of Scotland in the 21st century and is considered at length. As police supervision and management is crucial to the organisation’s success, the subjects of personnel development, promotion and management in the police is examined with comment on the suitability of the system in the 21st century.

    The book concludes with commentary on the future profile of the Scottish police officer and makes some general comparison with their colleagues in the rest of the UK and European Union. This will be an essential text for police officers in Scotland and elsewhere and students and academics in the areas of law, politics, management, police studies, criminology and criminal justice.

    1. Introduction: The Scottish police officer  2. Police tradition in Scotland  3. How are police officers recruited and trained?  4. How do police officers police Scotland?  5. How do specialist units police Scotland  6. How do non-police officers police Scotland?  7. How do we develop and promote police officers?  8. Who oversees the police in Scotland?  9. What lies ahead for the Scottish police officer?

    Biography

    Daniel Donnelly is a retired senior police officer and Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Criminal Justice and Police Studies, University of the West of Scotland. He has obtained the degrees of B.A., M.B.A. and Ph.D. and has regularly taught at a number of Scottish universities. Daniel is the author of Municipal Policing in Scotland (Dundee University Press 2008); co-editor/author of Policing Scotland 1st and 2nd editions (Willan 2005 and 2010), and author of Municipal Policing in the European Union – Comparative Perspectives (2013).

    ‘With impeccable timing Daniel Donnelly brings us his new book: The Scottish Police Officer. Spanning history, sociology, philosophy and policing practice, this book will not only be vital reading for anyone concerned with Scottish policing, but will be of great interest to police scholars everywhere.’ - Tim Newburn, Professor of Criminology, London School of Economics, UK

    ‘This book breaks new ground in offering a comprehensive study of Scottish policing and the Scottish police officer. As the first of its kind, it will prove invaluable as a work of reference. But it is also a work of considerable insight, a fascinating and timely investigation of the distinctive strengths and pressing concerns of an important Scottish institution at a time of great political, organisational and social change.’ - Neil Walker, Regius Professor of Public Law and the Law of Nature and Nations, The University of Edinburgh, UK

    ‘In this very timely and important book, Daniel Donnelly brings his own unique blend of professional policing experience and academic insight to craft a fascinating account of the diversity of tasks, responsibilities and relationships that define the police officer’s role. At a time when policing in the UK, and Scotland in particular, is undergoing fundamental restructuring and reform, this book will be of immense value to practitioners and researchers who need to know more about the complex working environments of the officers who deliver this vital service.’ - Professor Nick Fyfe, University of Dundee and Director of the Scottish Institute for Policing Research, UK