About this item

DESCRIPTION In each chapter of Issues and Controversies in Policing Today, author Johnny Nhan explores a provocative issue sure to spark classroom discussion. Grounding each topic in theory, recent published research, and practice, he focuses on providing students with an understanding of its underlying causes. Moreover, a theoretical arc contextualizes the issues historically, facilitating a clear view of the ever-changing policing landscape. Used as a stand-alone text or as a companion to other material, Issues and Controversies in Policing Today offers all readers valuable insight into policings current challenges and their origins. REVIEW Perhaps, at no point in the history and evolution of modern policing has the profession faced so many challenges in such a short span of time as has been evident in the early part of the twenty-first century. Johnny Nhans work in Issues and Controversies in Policing Today is a bold and refreshing approach to the myriad challenges that face the police and society today, and allows the reader to see what works in policing, and more importantly, what does not. The material is presented in a conversational tone that promotes learning over memorization, and is an excellent choice for criminal justice related courses that attract a multidisciplinary audience. -- James J. Drylie, PhD, Fulbright Police Scholar, Kean University Nhans book, Issues and Controversies in Policing Today is a must read for anyone interested in learning more about the ins and outs of being a police officer. Nhan takes the reader on a journey through the origins of police forces, media portrayals of the police, and the often invisible stresses of the job, including working swing shifts. Unexpected insights with every page turned. -- Angela J. Hattery, PHD, Professor, Women and Gender Studies, University of Delaware, Author: Policing Black Bodies: How Black Lives Are Surveilled and How to Work for Change Issues and Controversies in Policing Today by Professor Johnny Nhan tells the story of why it is a book that meets the criteria of explaining to the reader what it takes to become a police officer in this 21st Century America. Taking a socio-historical approach, Nhan provides critical information on the origins of policing, the way ethnic minority and gay police officers must navigate both those they serve and protect and fellow officers. He takes us on a discussion of the controversial strategy of "community policing" that is quite illuminating. Issues and Controversies in Policing Today is a must read as it is a well crafted, insightful and easy to read book. -- Earl Smith, PhD, Rubin Professor of American Ethnic Studies and Sociology Wake Forest University, author of Policing Black Bodies: How Black Lives Are Surveilled and How to Work for Change. Policing in our times has certainly become controversial and due to the nature of policing in America, it is plagued by many issues, both societal and organizational. Fortunately, for the student of policing, Johnny Nhan has come along with a book that not only catalogues all of these issues and controversies, but presents them in a readable format, providing the multi-faceted perspective of each issue and controversy. Johnny Nhans Issues and Controversies in Policing Today is the book that will inform, educate, and start the much needed discussion on American policing today. -- Willard M. Oliver, Sam Houston State University Nhans Issues and Controversies in Policing Today addresses many issues, including the politics of policing and LGBTQ police officers, that are not often discussed about the field of law enforcement. It is a welcomed addition to any Foundations of Policing course and could be utilized as the primary text to support any Special Issues in Policing course. -- Kimberly A. McCabe, PhD, professor of criminology, University of Lynchburg ABOUT THE AUTHOR Johnny Nhan, PhD, is an associate professor and criminal justice and Graduate Director for Texas Christian University. He is the author of Policing cyberspace: Structural and Cultural (2010) ; and he has written several articles on various areas of cybercrime, including policing, piracy, and legal issues for Corrections: Policy, Practice and Research, British Journal of Criminology, International Journal of Criminology & Sociological Theory, and many others. He was the lead developer in creating the Leadership, Executive and Administrative Development (LEAD) graduate certificate program at TCU that unites top police supervisors with academia to find solutions to timely issues facing law enforcement today. He is also a member of Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences and American Society of Criminology. Read more