Police Decision-Making

This book takes the topic of police decision-making, one that is so important to the everyday policing of all citizens, and examines it in depth. It does this, not just by describing the processes and mechanisms which govern decision-making, but also by considering the fundamental principles which underpin this.

The book critically explores how and why police officers make decisions, and what principles should guide those decisions in modern policing, bringing together the authors’ research, wider literature and Williams’ extensive experience of police practice. Part 1, Understanding Policing and Police Decision-making covers police legitimacy, police discretion and policing cultures. Parts 2 and 3 focus on policing in England and Wales. Part 2 introduces Frameworks of Police Decision-making covering police decision models and ethical police decision-making (focusing on the National Decision Model and Code of Ethics). Part 3, Decision-making in Practice, presents case studies on decision-making drawn from the authors’ research and analysis on: student officers, stop and search and the night-time economy.

Aimed primarily at policing students, whether prospective police officers or social science students, the book will be of interest to all those involved in working with the police.