Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Countries: (Interdisciplinary Research Series in Ethnic, Gender and Class Relations)

Is it possible to create democratic forms of policing in transitional and developing societies? This volume argues that policing models and practices promoted by the west are often inadequate for adoption by countries making democratic transitions because they do not adequately address issues such as human rights, equity, co-production, accountability, openness and organizational change. Therefore police reform is often limited to a "one size fits all" approach. The book expands the dialogue so that discussions of democratic policing around the world are more realistic, comprehensive and sensitive to the local context. Detailed case studies on Iraq, South Africa, Northern Ireland and Kazakhstan provide a realistic assessment of the current state of policing. The editors use the studies to suggest how to promote democratic policing and other important goals of democratic reform around the world. The volume will assist academics, policy makers, NGOs and others in tailoring a local democratic policing strategy within a broader framework to enhance socioeconomic development and citizen capacity, build social capital, reduce various forms of conflict and support human rights.

Table of Contents:
Contents: Prospects for Democratic Policing: Introduction, Nathan W. Pino and Michael D. Wiatrowski; Assessing the obstacles, Nathan W. Pino and Michael D. Wiatrowski; Policing and police reform in the US: adequate for export?, Nathan W. Pino and Michael D. Wiatrowski; The principles of democratic policing, Nathan W. Pino and Michael D. Wiatrowski; Implementing democratic policing and related initiatives, Nathan W. Pino and Michael D. Wiatrowski. Country Case Studies: Introduction, Nathan W. Pino and Michael D. Wiatrowski; Policing and institution building in Iraq, Rehan Mullick and Rabia Nusrat; Crime, power, and policing in South Africa: beyond protected privilege and privileged protection, Robert Shanafelt; Human rights and democratic police reform in Northern Ireland, Steven T. Engel; Creating police partnerships with civil society in Kazakhstan through US-funded domestic violence training: a step toward democratic policing, Edward Snajdr; The role of the police in promoting the rule of law, Heath Grant, Jane Grabias and Roy Godson. Conclusion: Conclusion, Nathan W. Pino and Michael D. Wiatrowski; Bibliography; Index.

About the Author :
Nathan Pino is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology, Texas State University - San Marcos, USA. Michael D. Wiatrowski is retired from academia. He was formerly associate professor of criminal justice at Florida Atlantic University and Chair of the criminal justice department at Utica College of Syracuse University, USA. Contributors: Nathan W. Pino, Michael D. Wiatrowski, Rehan Mullick, Rabia Nusrat, Robert Shanafelt, Steven T. Engel, Edward Snajdr, Heath Grant, Jane Grabias, Roy Godson.

Review :
'This text is the first to furnish a thoroughly informed analysis of the prospects for national policing in an international context. It combines a sophisticated review of theories of development and dependency with accounts of the possibilities and pitfalls in developing new policing structures in failed and transitional states. Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Countries represents a state-of-the-art compendium in seeking to critically understand the nature of policing futures.' Professor Mike Brogden, University of Lancaster, UK 'This is the first book that looks specifically at the issue of democratic policing in developing and transitional countries. The hallmark of the book is its recognition of the fact that this is not an easy task and that real change can only take place from within. This is certainly a key resource for students and researchers in comparative policing.' Dr Bankole Cole, University of Hull, UK 'When democratic policing is imposed on transitional nations lacking basic democratic infrastructure, it will likely fail. The case studies provide empirical support for Pino and Wiatrowski's theory while showing unique challenges facing individual nations. Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Countries is an important book. It should be read by academics, police officials, and policy makers to understand the many obstacles in establishing and maintaining democratic policing around the globe.' George W. Burruss, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, USA '... provides useful insights into the theory, principles and practice of democratic policing. A unifying theme ... is that efforts to democratize the police have to occur in concert with other forms of modernization aimed at addressing socio-economic development, human rights, judicial independence, and governmental reform.' Asian Criminology '...a timely and ambitious book...' British Society of Criminology 'Democratic Policing in Transitional and Developing Countries offers arguably the most comprehensive statement thus far on the depth and breath of the task of promoting democratic transformation of policing in transitional or post-conflict societies. The manifold lessons it provides for democratic policing reforms in transitional societies should make it a primary reference for academics, development planners and all those who are engaged in promotion democratic reforms of any kind in these societies.' The Howard Journal of Criminal Justice 'Pino and Wiatrowski have produced a book of originality that is a first attempt to frame policing in the wider issue of development...the book benefits from a sharp critical perspective on policing practices in the West and questioning whether it is suitable for export...Pino and Wiatrowski have moved the demographic policing debate forward by situating it in the broader theoretical perspective. They are surely correct in asserting the need for understanding policing in wider processes of demographic reform and development. The case studies clearly illustrate the obstacles to police reform identified by the editors: a move to democratic policing will be fraught with difficulty, it is always context-specific and it must be framed in larger historical socio-economic and political processes...the book is no less commendable for it' Theoretical Criminology 'Pino and Wiatrowski's (2006) collection on democratic policing provides a timely contribution to the increasing literature on police reform in transitional and developing countires. The book provides useful insights into the theory, principles and practice of democratic policing...the book has much to commend and the case study chapters are clearly the most useful in highlighting the link between the theory and principles of democratic policing and actually implementing them in practice. For Asian countries the book makes clear that translating notions of democratic policing from Western democracies to Asian states should not