Issues and Controversies in Policing Today

Reviews / Votes

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 Nhan's 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 Nhan's 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 Nhan's 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 Nhan's 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