Prof Robert Reiner NAB6.02

This course is available on the MSc in Criminal Justice Policy, MSc in Public Management and Governance, MSc in Regulation, MSc in Regulation (Research), Master of Laws and Master of Laws (extended part-time study). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course will be relevant to the following specialisms: Criminology and Criminal Justice, Public Law, Legal Theory.

This course is capped at 30 students. Students must apply through Graduate Course Choice on LSEforYou.

Students must have completed Policing and Police Powers (LL4BC).

The police are a central part of the criminal justice system and of the State's formal machinery for maintaining order and enforcing law. LL4BC offered a survey of the research literature on the functioning and governance of policing organisations. This course builds on that by analysing and discussing contemporary controversies, issues and policy developments. The list of topics will include: 1) Specialist forms of policing: a) Homicide investigation b) Rape investigations c) Public order d) Drugs policing e) Transnational policing f) Private policing 2) Diversity and policing: especially gender, ethnicity, sexuality. 3) Policing and social justice: discriminatory use of police powers such as stop-and-search. 4) Innovations in policing tactics: notably community, zero-tolerance, problem-oriented, intelligence-led policing. 5) Developments in police governance: Police and Crime Commissioners, the Independent Police Complaints Commission. 6) Alternative policing models. There will be scope for students to suggest issues of particular interest each year.

20 hours of seminars in the LT. 2 hours of seminars in the ST.

One 2,000 word essay.

General surveys of the field include: T Newburn (Ed), Handbook of Policing 2nd Ed. (2008); R Reiner, The Politics of the Police (4th edn, 2010). Useful collections of research and policy papers include: T Newburn (Ed), Policing: Key Readings Willan 2004; R Reiner (Ed), Policing Vols I and II Dartmouth (1996); J.Peay and T.Newburn eds.: Policing: Politics, Culture and Control (2012). Detailed Reading lists for each topic will be provided. Journals offering papers on contemporary issues include: The British Journal of Criminology, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Policing and Society, Policing.

Exam (100%, duration: 2 hours) in the main exam period.