Accountability of Policing

‘This book makes a significant contribution to the literature on accountability for policing in three particular ways. First, it adopts much broader conceptions of both accountability and "policing" than have been evident in almost all the previous literature on this topic. Second, it is historically grounded, which enhances understanding of where things stand today. Thirdly, it is thoroughly up to date, exploring new conceptual frames, the most recent developments, and the most recent critiques. For all these reasons, it is a book that should be read by anyone who is interested, for whatever reasons, in its central subject.’ - Philip C. Stenning, Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia

‘Accountability of Policing is a sorely-needed text in the policing research cannon. Lister and Rowe, along with a long list of well-respected scholars in this field, have compiled an informative and insightful text on a topic of great interest in policing. It will be a valuable resource for students, researchers and practitioners.’ - Megan O’Neill, Lecturer in Human Geography, University of Dundee and the Scottish Institute of Policing Research, UK

‘Focusing on such diverse subjects as corruption, complaints, and stop and search, and bringing together the leading authors in their respective fields, this impressive volume offers the most up-to-date analysis of the contemporary state of accountability in policing and private security. This will be essential reading for teachers and students of policing.’ - Tim Newburn, Professor of Criminology and Social Policy, London School of Economics, UK

"Composed of eleven chapters from an impressive line-up of established and well-respected scholars in the field, Lister and Rowe’s (2015) edited collection on the Accountability of Policing is a much welcome addition to the literature. Set against a backdrop of considerable and ongoing police reform, police organisations, scholars and students alike are faced with the mammoth task of making sense of increasingly complex local, national and transnational policing landscapes. It is precisely this complexity and pace of reform that has shaped the contributions in this collection… one of the key strengths of this edited collection is its ability to explore the complex nature of accountability whilst driving forward a set of collective and shared messages: that the concept of accountability is under theorised by both academics and practitioners; that concerns over accountability are often not new; that there are significant challenges ahead in terms of state systems for regulation – particularly so in a period in which policing has become pluralised and privatised and transnational in orientation; and lastly, that the ongoing need for greater police accountability is best conceived of as a positive mechanism within which those engaged in policing can reflect upon their practice to bring about meaningful change as well as an opportunity to document evidence of good practice…. Above all else, this book stands as a testament to the need for rigorous academic debate on the issue of accountability." - Marisa Silvestri, Associate Professor in Criminology, Kingston University, UK, Policing and Society