Policing and the Law

This book provides practical, in-depth and extensive coverage of legal issues affecting the police, discussing both operational and administrative issues in policing as they are enhanced or constrained by the system of laws in America. It contains a collection of ten essays in three topical areas: legal aspects of police-citizen encounters, limitations on police work, and the law and police administration. Contributors to the book include both practitioners and academicians, as well as those who work or have worked in both fields. Chapter topics include: legal issues of police operations, an overview and examination of Supreme Court decisions, administrative aspects of legal issues, changes in the legal environment, affirmative action and police selection, age limitations and discrimination of police officers, and a summary of the themes presented throughout the book that reinforces the importance of the relationship between the police and the law. For police officers, supervisors, and police executives—and for use in police training, and as a study guide for promotions in police agencies.