Police officers typically are responsible for maintaining public order and safety, enforcing the law, and preventing, detecting, and investigating criminal activities. Police may also perform licensing and regulatory duties. This resource examines the role of police at various levels of society, from small communities to state and national jurisdictions. It addresses the concept of due process and the relationship between police and court systems. It considers controversial issues such as police activities involving minorities and responses to protests and riots. It concludes with discussions of the involvement of police in national security and of international police organizations such as Interpol.
