Cross Cultural Profiles of Policing

While the police forces in democratic countries have certain similarities, their cultures, histories, and political priorities contribute to significant differences in police customs, behaviors, and procedures. Examining the differences and similarities in approaches from one nation to the next, Cross-Cultural Profiles of Policing engages in a comparative study of the police in Austria, France, Germany, Japan, and Switzerland. Written by Dilip K. Das, world-famous international police scholar, and Osman Dolu of the Turkish National Police, this comprehensive and highly detailed work demonstrates ways that police professionals and public policy makers can improve their own systems by tapping into the methodologies of successful policing protocols from other countries.

This work is a product of street observations, ride-alongs, interviews, visits, and literature reviews collected over several years. In every case, experts from each respective country have verified the accuracy of the material. Organized into five sections covering each of the aforementioned countries, the text examines police organizational structures, leadership and supervision, police role and functions, public police projects, and training. Each section is similarly organized to allow for easy comparison from nation to nation.

In each profile, an attempt has been made, based on the observational study and literature review, to examine—

Levels of decentralization in police organizations

The role of innovation in police procedure

Police functions beyond law enforcement and order maintenance

Degree of police involvement in projects and programs within the community

Types of specialized training the police receive in developing the attitude, skills and values to serve and protect the public

This unique work offers an excellent resource for those interested in comparative policing strategies and models. Readers will come to understand that while each of these democratic, affluent countries face different challenges, they all share some surprising similarities in their approaches to the age-old problem of crime.

Dilip K. Das, Osman Dolu, Bonnie Mihalka