PCE2050

Police, politics and community

Colleen Lewis

8 points - 3 hours per week - Second semester - Caulfield - Prohibited combination: PCE1020

Objectives On successful completion of this subject students will be expected to have gained an understanding of the place of policing in the political process and the role of police in relation to a range of contemporary and contentious public policies which impact directly on the policing function.

Synopsis Topics considered include debates concerning the nature of the relationship between police, parliament and cabinet and between police commissioners and police ministers. Other topics include the effectiveness of government initiated police inquiries such as Queensland's Fitzgerald Commission and NSW's Wood Commission; an analysis of contemporary social issues includes police - community relations; police and youth, police relationships with the media, political parties and interest groups; the policing of industrial conflict and police and racial conflict. Police in Australia are at the forefront in implementing a range of government programs for dealing with community issues. The accountability and effectiveness of these programs will be critically assessed.

Assessment Major essay (3000 words): 30% Tutorial presentation and participation : 15% - Test (1 hour): 15% - Exam: 40%

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