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POLICING

Module code: LW269
Credits: 5
Semester: 1
Department: LAW
International:

	Overview
	The module introduces students to the area of policing and explores the main theories, concepts and debates in this field. The first half of the course begins by exploring the origins of policing, the pluralisation of the policing function, police work, police culture and concerns about police accountability and legitimacy. The second half of the course will examine discrete topics such as the policing of terrorism, the relationship of the police with victims and the internationalisation of policing. While international literature will be discussed, the module will draw on the experiences of policing in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain in particular. The content of the module will include the following: • Introduction: differences between ‘police’ and ‘policing’; pluralisation and privatisation of policing; history of the police in Ireland and Britain. • The functions of the police: what do the police do?; functions of An Garda Siochana under the Garda Siochana Act 2005; contemporary models and strategies of policing. • Them and Us? Exploring police culture: the concept of cop culture as a shorthand way of referring to the organisational culture of the police and the working personality of the police officer; criticisms of cop culture and internal and external impact. • Police corruption: factors impacting corruption; case studies; corruption in An Garda Siochana. • Accountability, legitimacy and democracy: the mechanisms used to ensure accountability and legitimacy in Ireland; recent developments and reforms; comparison with other jurisdictions; relationship between police legitimacy and wider modes of democratic governance. • Policing terrorism: the emergence of emergency powers in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain; normalisation of special powers; impact on relationships with the public and creation of ‘suspect communities’. • Police and victims: relationship between the police and victims; victims of domestic violence and sexual offences; legislative and policy developments; areas of concern. • Internationalisation of policing: growth of transnational policing structures and agencies; the growth of privatised militias; governance, oversight and accountability.

Overview

The module introduces students to the area of policing and explores the main theories, concepts and debates in this field. The first half of the course begins by exploring the origins of policing, the pluralisation of the policing function, police work, police culture and concerns about police accountability and legitimacy. The second half of the course will examine discrete topics such as the policing of terrorism, the relationship of the police with victims and the internationalisation of policing. While international literature will be discussed, the module will draw on the experiences of policing in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain in particular.

The content of the module will include the following:
• Introduction: differences between ‘police’ and ‘policing’; pluralisation and privatisation of policing; history of the police in Ireland and Britain.
• The functions of the police: what do the police do?; functions of An Garda Siochana under the Garda Siochana Act 2005; contemporary models and strategies of policing.
• Them and Us? Exploring police culture: the concept of cop culture as a shorthand way of referring to the organisational culture of the police and the working personality of the police officer; criticisms of cop culture and internal and external impact.
• Police corruption: factors impacting corruption; case studies; corruption in An Garda Siochana.
• Accountability, legitimacy and democracy: the mechanisms used to ensure accountability and legitimacy in Ireland; recent developments and reforms; comparison with other jurisdictions; relationship between police legitimacy and wider modes of democratic governance.
• Policing terrorism: the emergence of emergency powers in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Britain; normalisation of special powers; impact on relationships with the public and creation of ‘suspect communities’.
• Police and victims: relationship between the police and victims; victims of domestic violence and sexual offences; legislative and policy developments; areas of concern.
• Internationalisation of policing: growth of transnational policing structures and agencies; the growth of privatised militias; governance, oversight and accountability.

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Critically analyse policing practices in Ireland and elsewhere by applying relevant theories and concepts; Identify new and emergent forms of private and state policing and develop reasoned arguments about the challenge these pose for public policing; Describe the functions of the police and the methods that are used to police; Identify and recognise different police cultures in their historical and contemporary setting and discuss their implications for policework; Explain how accountability and legitimacy concerns can affect policing; Identify and debate the key issues that confront contemporary policing and assess the implications for policework; Demonstrate written skills of argument.

Learning Outcomes

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment registration permitted? No Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment capped? No

	Additional Reading
	Conway, V. (2014) Policing Twentieth Century Ireland: A History of An Garda Siochana. Chapters 1, 2, 5, 6 and 8. Newburn, T. (ed) (2011) Handbook of Policing (2nd ed). Cullompton: Willan Publishing. Chapters 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 15, 21, 29. Newburn, T. (2013) Criminology. 2nd ed. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. Chapters 2, 19 and 25. Newburn, T. and Reiner, R. (2012) ‘Policing and the Police’, in Maguire, Morgan, R. and Reiner, R. (eds.) Oxford Handbook of Criminology. (5th ed.) Oxford: OUP. Reiner, R. (2010) The Politics of the Police. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Chapters 1-5. Reisig, M.D. and Kane, R.J. (2014) The Oxford Handbook of Police and Policing. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Walsh, D. (2009) Human Rights and Policing in Ireland: Law, Policy and Practice. Dublin: Clarus Press, selected chapters. Students will be provided with supplementary materials on moodle (Maynooth University’s Virtual Learning Environment).

Additional Reading

Timetable

Courses / Module

POLICING

Semester 1

Semester 2