Oxford Handbook of Police and Policing

The police are perhaps the most visible representation of government. They are charged with what has been characterized as an impossible mandate -- control and prevent crime keep the peace provide public services -- and do so within the constraints of democratic principles. The police are trusted to use deadly force when it is called for and are allowed access to our homes in cases of emergency. In fact police departments are one of the few government agencies that can be mobilized by a simple phone call 24 hours a day 7 days a week. They are ubiquitous within our society but their actions are often not well understood.