1st Edition
Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Countries
Is it possible to create democratic forms of policing in transitional and developing societies? This volume argues that policing models and practices promoted by the west are often inadequate for adoption by countries making democratic transitions because they do not adequately address issues such as human rights, equity, co-production, accountability, openness and organizational change. Therefore police reform is often limited to a "one size fits all" approach. The book expands the dialogue so that discussions of democratic policing around the world are more realistic, comprehensive and sensitive to the local context. Detailed case studies on Iraq, South Africa, Northern Ireland and Kazakhstan provide a realistic assessment of the current state of policing. The editors use the studies to suggest how to promote democratic policing and other important goals of democratic reform around the world. The volume will assist academics, policy makers, NGOs and others in tailoring a local democratic policing strategy within a broader framework to enhance socioeconomic development and citizen capacity, build social capital, reduce various forms of conflict and support human rights.
Biography
Nathan Pino is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology, Texas State University - San Marcos, USA. Michael D. Wiatrowski is retired from academia. He was formerly associate professor of criminal justice at Florida Atlantic University and Chair of the criminal justice department at Utica College of Syracuse University, USA.
'This text is the first to furnish a thoroughly informed analysis of the prospects for national policing in an international context. It combines a sophisticated review of theories of development and dependency with accounts of the possibilities and pitfalls in developing new policing structures in failed and transitional states. Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Countries represents a state-of-the-art compendium in seeking to critically understand the nature of policing futures.' Professor Mike Brogden, University of Lancaster, UK 'This is the first book that looks specifically at the issue of democratic policing in developing and transitional countries. The hallmark of the book is its recognition of the fact that this is not an easy task and that real change can only take place from within. This is certainly a key resource for students and researchers in comparative policing.' Dr Bankole Cole, University of Hull, UK 'When democratic policing is imposed on transitional nations lacking basic democratic infrastructure, it will likely fail. The case studies provide empirical support for Pino and Wiatrowski's theory while showing unique challenges facing individual nations. Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Countries is an important book. It should be read by academics, police officials, and policy makers to understand the many obstacles in establishing and maintaining democratic policing around the globe.' George W. Burruss, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA '... provides useful insights into the theory, principles and practice of democratic policing. A unifying theme ... is that efforts to democratize the police have to occur in concert with other forms of modernization aimed at addressing socio-economic development, human rights, judicial independence, and governmental reform.' Asian Criminology '...a timely and ambitious book...' British Society of Criminology 'Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Co
