Originally published in 1987, the achievement of this book is that it combines rigorous theoretical analysis with a wealth of descriptive material drawn from first-hand observation of policing and decision making at all levels, and thus relates sociological theory to practice and political debate at the time.

Contenu

Foreword and Acknowledgements. Part I: Theories and Methodologies 1. Shaping a Structural Lens Part II: The Unit Beat System 2. Patrol Report 3. Decoding the Message Part III: The Resident Beat System 4. Working the Patch 5. A Pattern Emerges. Conclusions to Parts II and III. Part IV: The Policy System Introduction to Part IV. 6. What Do We Mean by Policy? 7. The System at Work I: Meetings 8. The System at Work II: Policy Files Part V: Conclusions 9. From the Theory to the Politics of Policework. Appendix: Interview Schedules. References. Index of Names. Index of Subjects.