Laura Huey - Böcker

It has become somewhat axiomatic to refer to the police as the ‘gatekeepers’ of the criminal justice system and thus as a mechanism for the provision of justice. And yet, when we conceptualize the police in this way, what is often taken for granted is the exact nature of that role and its larger social meaning. Indeed, we know that police deliver justice more efficiently to some and injustice to others. Rethinking Policing and Justice critically examines the role of policing (both state and non-state forms) in the provision of justice (and injustice). In essence, it presents work that highlights how different communities and groups have sought alternatives to policing, sometimes taking over the functions of policing. It also shows a variety of theoretical, methodology, and other approaches for the critical evaluation of law enforcement, highlighing different insights into alternative modes of policing, as we seek to understand and redraft the relationship between policing and justice.This book was originally published as a special issue of Contemporary Justice Review.

The relationship between policing and the governance of society is an important and complex one, especially as it relates to destitute areas. Through a comparative analysis of policing in skid row districts in three cities – Edinburgh, San Francisco, and Vancouver – Negotiating Demands offers an inside look at the influence of local political, moral, and economic issues on police practices within marginalized communities. Through an analysis of various theoretical approaches and ethnographic field data, Laura Huey unveils a portrait of skid row policing as a political process. Police are regularly called upon to negotiate often-conflicting sets of demands, especially within the context of disadvantaged or troubled neighbourhoods. Examining a broad spectrum of police procedures and community responses, Huey offers a reconceptualization of the police as political actors who 'negotiate demands' of different constituencies. How the police meet these demands – through incident- and context-specific uses of law enforcement, peacekeeping, social work, and knowledge work – are shown to be a product of the civic environment in which they operate and of the 'moral-economic' forces that shape public discourse. Negotiating Demands is an original and thought-provoking study that not only advances our knowledge of police organization and decision-making strategies but also refines our understanding of how processes of social inclusion and exclusion occur in different liberal regimes and how they can be addressed.

The relationship between policing and the governance of society is an important and complex one, especially as it relates to destitute areas. Through a comparative analysis of policing in skid row districts in three cities – Edinburgh, San Francisco, and Vancouver – Negotiating Demands offers an inside look at the influence of local political, moral, and economic issues on police practices within marginalized communities. Through an analysis of various theoretical approaches and ethnographic field data, Laura Huey unveils a portrait of skid row policing as a political process. Police are regularly called upon to negotiate often-conflicting sets of demands, especially within the context of disadvantaged or troubled neighbourhoods. Examining a broad spectrum of police procedures and community responses, Huey offers a reconceptualization of the police as political actors who 'negotiate demands' of different constituencies. How the police meet these demands – through incident- and context-specific uses of law enforcement, peacekeeping, social work, and knowledge work – are shown to be a product of the civic environment in which they operate and of the 'moral-economic' forces that shape public discourse. Negotiating Demands is an original and thought-provoking study that not only advances our knowledge of police organization and decision-making strategies but also refines our understanding of how processes of social inclusion and exclusion occur in different liberal regimes and how they can be addressed.

This book looks at police reform in Canada, arguing that no significant and sustainable reform can occur until steps are taken to answer the question of 'What exactly do we want police to do?' Adding challenge to this is that setting boundaries on what we expect the police to do requires grappling with the complex social problems we ask them to resolve. In public policy language, these are ‘wicked problems’ – social or cultural issues frequently seen as intractable. Authors Huey, Ferguson, and Schulenberg, all policing scholars, draw on a unique collection of data to explore these issues: over 20 years of research (2000– 2021) ranging from in-depth interviews, surveys, and field observations to document analysis and systematic social observation. Pooling this data generates a national-level picture of changes in the policing operational environment over these decades. This book focuses on four particular wicked problems (mental health, substance misuse, homelessness, missing persons) with causes and potential preventative treatments that lie primarily outside the criminal justice system and yet continue to be treated as 'policing problems.' Bringing about changes in public policing requires changes in public policy, and these are precisely the types of wicked problems that need innovative policy solutions. This book is suitable for a wide range of audiences within and outside Canada, including law enforcement and community leaders; scholars and policy experts who specialize in policing; students of criminal justice, organizations, and management; and citizen-consumers of information about policing.

This book looks at police reform in Canada, arguing that no significant and sustainable reform can occur until steps are taken to answer the question of 'What exactly do we want police to do?' Adding challenge to this is that setting boundaries on what we expect the police to do requires grappling with the complex social problems we ask them to resolve. In public policy language, these are ‘wicked problems’ – social or cultural issues frequently seen as intractable. Authors Huey, Ferguson, and Schulenberg, all policing scholars, draw on a unique collection of data to explore these issues: over 20 years of research (2000– 2021) ranging from in-depth interviews, surveys, and field observations to document analysis and systematic social observation. Pooling this data generates a national-level picture of changes in the policing operational environment over these decades. This book focuses on four particular wicked problems (mental health, substance misuse, homelessness, missing persons) with causes and potential preventative treatments that lie primarily outside the criminal justice system and yet continue to be treated as 'policing problems.' Bringing about changes in public policing requires changes in public policy, and these are precisely the types of wicked problems that need innovative policy solutions. This book is suitable for a wide range of audiences within and outside Canada, including law enforcement and community leaders; scholars and policy experts who specialize in policing; students of criminal justice, organizations, and management; and citizen-consumers of information about policing.

It has become somewhat axiomatic to refer to the police as the ‘gatekeepers’ of the criminal justice system and thus as a mechanism for the provision of justice. And yet, when we conceptualize the police in this way, what is often taken for granted is the exact nature of that role and its larger social meaning. Indeed, we know that police deliver justice more efficiently to some and injustice to others. Rethinking Policing and Justice critically examines the role of policing (both state and non-state forms) in the provision of justice (and injustice). In essence, it presents work that highlights how different communities and groups have sought alternatives to policing, sometimes taking over the functions of policing. It also shows a variety of theoretical, methodology, and other approaches for the critical evaluation of law enforcement, highlighing different insights into alternative modes of policing, as we seek to understand and redraft the relationship between policing and justice.This book was originally published as a special issue of Contemporary Justice Review.

Future Policing: Technology and Transformation examines how technologies such as facial recognition, quantum computing, virtual reality, data integration, artificial intelligence, robot cops, electrocardiograms, predictive policing, and investigative genetic genealogy are transforming the practice and governance of contemporary law enforcement.Bringing together interdisciplinary scholars from eight countries, this twenty-chapter volume offers empirically grounded analyses of how technologies are adopted, implemented, regulated, and experienced in practice. Chapters synthesize research evidence, operational experience, and theoretical debate to evaluate claims of efficiency, objectivity, and innovation, while identifying the social, legal, and ethical consequences that accompany digital transformation. At a critical moment when police agencies are investing heavily in technological solutions while navigating a fast-moving landscape of evolving tools, claims, and expectations, this volume provides a much-needed evidence base for understanding what these systems change in practice and what outcomes they realistically produce. And by bringing sustained critical investigation and scrutiny to rapidly institutionalizing tools, the collection establishes a foundation for the next generation of policing scholarship.Rigorous and accessible, Future Policing provides students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, among others, with the insight required to critically assess technological change and understand how innovation is reshaping what policing is, how it is done, and whom it serves.

Future Policing: Technology and Transformation examines how technologies such as facial recognition, quantum computing, virtual reality, data integration, artificial intelligence, robot cops, electrocardiograms, predictive policing, and investigative genetic genealogy are transforming the practice and governance of contemporary law enforcement.Bringing together interdisciplinary scholars from eight countries, this twenty-chapter volume offers empirically grounded analyses of how technologies are adopted, implemented, regulated, and experienced in practice. Chapters synthesize research evidence, operational experience, and theoretical debate to evaluate claims of efficiency, objectivity, and innovation, while identifying the social, legal, and ethical consequences that accompany digital transformation. At a critical moment when police agencies are investing heavily in technological solutions while navigating a fast-moving landscape of evolving tools, claims, and expectations, this volume provides a much-needed evidence base for understanding what these systems change in practice and what outcomes they realistically produce. And by bringing sustained critical investigation and scrutiny to rapidly institutionalizing tools, the collection establishes a foundation for the next generation of policing scholarship.Rigorous and accessible, Future Policing provides students, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, among others, with the insight required to critically assess technological change and understand how innovation is reshaping what policing is, how it is done, and whom it serves.

This essential book brings together leading Criminology researchers from across the globe to explore the critical role of the ‘evidence base’ in crime and criminal justice. It began with a simple question: if experts were asked to write about the evidence base in their area of expertise, what would they say? Casting the net widely to ensure a diverse range of topics, contributors were given a straightforward brief: 5000 words on any aspect of the evidence base within their field. The result is a lively and accessible collection of papers offering critical assessments and insightful commentary on the state of research evidence.This book is designed for students, academics, policymakers and practitioners in Criminology, criminal justice, and related fields. It addresses the challenges of turning empirical evidence into effective policy and practice, while highlighting methodological, political, and practical issues faced by researchers. The chapters provide research-driven insights into the evidence base across various areas, making this an invaluable resource for understanding the intersection of research and public policy in criminal justice.The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of Evidence Base.

Despite Western society's preoccupation with safety and protection, its most vulnerable members still lack access to the level of security that many of us take for granted. In this trailblazing study, Laura Huey illustrates the issue of a ‘security gap’ faced by increasing homeless populations: while they are among the most likely victims of crime, they are also among the least served by existing forms of state and private security.Invisible Victims presents the first comprehensive, integrated study of the risks faced by homeless people and their attempts to find safety and security in often dangerous environments.  Huey draws not only on current debates on security within criminology, but also on a decade’s worth of her own field research on the victimization and policing of the homeless. A theoretically and empirically informed examination of the myriad issues affecting the homeless, Invisible Victims makes a compelling case for society to provide necessary services and, above all, a basic level of security for this population.

Drawing on more than 150 in-depth interviews, Becoming Strong: Impoverished Women and the Struggle to Overcome Violence explores the diverse effects of trauma in the lives of homeless female victims of violence.Laura Huey and Ryan Broll closely examine the negative patterns common to cases of homeless female victims of violence and develop informed solutions for responding to issues that perpetuate cycles of female homelessness. Becoming Strong offers not only a comprehensive examination of trauma and the role it can play in shaping homeless women’s lives, but it also explores how women may recover and develop strategies for coping with traumatic experiences.

Over the past ten years, the field of evidence-based policing (EBP) has grown substantially, evolving from a novel idea at the fringes of policing to an increasingly core component of contemporary policing research and practice.Examining what makes something evidence-based and not merely evidence-informed, this book unifies the voices of police practitioners, academics, and pracademics. It provides real world examples of evidence-based police practices and how police research can be created and applied in the field.Includes contributions from leading international EBP researchers and practitioners such as Larry Sherman, University of Cambridge, Lorraine Mazerrolle, University of Queensland, Anthony Braga, Northeastern and Craig Bennell, Carelton University.

Over the past ten years, the field of evidence-based policing (EBP) has grown substantially, evolving from a novel idea at the fringes of policing to an increasingly core component of contemporary policing research and practice.Examining what makes something evidence-based and not merely evidence-informed, this book unifies the voices of police practitioners, academics, and pracademics. It provides real world examples of evidence-based police practices and how police research can be created and applied in the field.Includes contributions from leading international EBP researchers and practitioners such as Larry Sherman, University of Cambridge, Lorraine Mazerrolle, University of Queensland, Anthony Braga, Northeastern and Craig Bennell, Carelton University.

When it comes to adopting evidence-based approaches, does the size of an organization really matter?This practical guide brings leading police and sociology experts together to demonstrate how police forces of all sizes can successfully embed evidence-based methods by using their strengths and limitations to their advantage. Drawing on experiences of policing in North America, it proposes new ways of strategizing and harnessing the talents of ‘change champions’. Building on the authors’ widely adopted first book on evidence-based policing, this is essential reading for practitioners, aspiring leaders, students and policy-makers.

Crime research has grown substantially over the past decade, with a rise in evidence-informed approaches to criminal justice, statistics-driven decision-making and predictive analytics. The fuel that has driven this growth is data – and one of its most pressing challenges is the lack of research on the use and interpretation of data sources. This accessible, engaging book closes that gap for researchers, practitioners and students. International researchers and crime analysts discuss the strengths, perils and opportunities of the data sources and tools now available and their best use in informing sound public policy and criminal justice practice.

Crime research has grown substantially over the past decade, with a rise in evidence-informed approaches to criminal justice, statistics-driven decision-making and predictive analytics. The fuel that has driven this growth is data – and one of its most pressing challenges is the lack of research on the use and interpretation of data sources. This accessible, engaging book closes that gap for researchers, practitioners and students. International researchers and crime analysts discuss the strengths, perils and opportunities of the data sources and tools now available and their best use in informing sound public policy and criminal justice practice.

This brief addresses the question of the various ways in which mental health-related issues have become police responsibility.  It provides a detailed understanding of the myriad of ways in which police are often called upon to be the primary responder to mental health-related issues, well beyond the standard media images of individuals in extreme crisis.Drawing upon the results of two separate ethnographies of police practices in Canada, this volume examines how public policing has become entangled in cases of persons with mental illness (PMI). It examines two aspects of the police role and mandate that brings police officers into contact with individuals dealing with mental health disorders: public safety, and crime prevention and response. It explores police perceptions towards the roles they play in the lives of PMI, and police demands in these types of calls for service that have transformed aspects of public policing.Appropriate for policing researchers, law enforcement and public policymakers, this book presents the argument that tackling this matter requires knowledge of police involvement in situations with PMI, as well as a set of evidence-based policy options that will not generate additional resource or other strains.

This brief discusses the significant contribution of police search and rescue to the successful location and resolution of missing persons cases. Across seven chapters, this volume offers a detailed examination of the routine practices of police search and rescue personnel. To do so, it draws from a collection of data, including in-depth interviews with police and thousands of different types of missing persons records. Laced with the stories of missing persons, it presents a detailed overview of what these teams do, the processes and procedures employed, and the tools and technologies in police search and rescue. It explores some of the challenges impacting police search and rescue response, emphasizing how to leverage this work in the field. This book also identifies future trends to address the “What may be next” question in the police search and rescue response to missing persons. As the first analysis of the role of police in search and rescue missions, this brief is of interest to law enforcement professionals and researchers of policing, policymakers, and professionals in psychology, criminology, sociology, and beyond