About this item
From "one of the most interesting sociologists of his generation" and a former cop, the story of three departments and their struggle to change aggressive police culture and achieve what Americans want: fair, humane, and effective policing.. What should we do about the police? After the murder of George Floyd, there's no institution more controversial: only 14 percent of Americans believe that "policing works pretty well as it is" (CNN, April 27, 2021) . We're swimming in proposals for reform, but most do not tackle the aggressive culture of the profession, which prioritizes locking up bad guys at any cost, loyalty to other cops, and not taking flak from anyone on the street. Far from improving public safety, this culture, in fact, poses a danger to citizens and cops alike.
About the Author
Neil Gross is a professor of sociology at Colby College. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Gross taught at the University of Southern California, Harvard University, the University of British Columbia, and Princeton University before moving to Maine.
