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 both the place of policing in the political process and the role of police in relation to a range of contemporary and contentious social issues and interests.

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

Assessment Short essay (1500 words): 25%
* Major essay (2500 words):
* 35% Tutorial paper and presentation (1000 words): 15%
* Attendance and participation: 10%
* Exam: 40%

Prescribed texts

Finnane M Police and government: Histories of policing in Australia OUP, 1994