For courses in Police and Society, Multicultural Law Enforcement, Contemporary Issues in Policing and Police-Community
Relations in CJ and Criminology departments.
This user-friendly guide to community-police relations examines a number of current and highly provocative law
enforcement/citizen issues. Authored by a law enforcement professional and educator, (Mr. Carlson retired from
the NY State Police as a uniform Captain, Assistant Director of Training), When Cultures Clash is well documented
and includes examples and terminology from the "real world" of policing, clearly defining and discussing
the cultural underpinnings of the law enforcement community and explaining many of the reasons police officers
behave as they do. It gives students the opportunity to look into the world of the police officer and the oft-conflicting
power and constraints of the police culture and the U.S. Constitution, outlining the rights of the citizen and
police officers' responsibility to those whom they serve.
Features
NEW-Timely discussion of September 11, 2001--Describes in detail these events and the ways in which they have
affected the relationships between citizens and police.
Gives students a relevant text that not only includes current events, but examines them in depth in relation
to their own lives.
NEW-Discussion about hiring--Includes in Chapter 10 (Bridging the Gap) information about seeking, hiring, and
promoting people of good character.
Exposes students to the issues that surround the responsibilities that they will encounter in their future
careers.
NEW-Added information about ethically sound organizations.
Shows students the steps that leaders can take to build an organization that is culturally sensitive and aware.
NEW-Discussion questions at the end of each chapter.
Provides students with questions that spark discussion and reflection of each issue.
The culture of policing--Described by an experienced practictioner/educator.
Provides students with real-world insights that cannot otherwise be obtained.
The mission of policing--Gives insight as to the circumstances under which it can go awry.
Challenges students to examine dynamics that are often kept from public view.
Strategies for positive police-citizen encounters.
Familiarizes students with verbal and nonverbal behaviors that have an impact on outcomes.
Hot button issues--Includes the Rodney King episode, the Amadou Diallo shooting, the Rampart scandal in Los
Angeles, racial profiling, and the issues that have arisen since 9/11.
Enables students to understand the issues that are current and topical in their world; the text takes a candid
look at the dynamics of police culture.
Table of Contents
1. The Job of a Police Officer (Citizen's Point of View).
2. The Job of a Police Officer (Police Officer's Point of View).
