PCE4030

The politics of police accountability

Colleen Lewis

12 points
* One two-hour seminar per week
* First semester
* Caulfield

Objectives On successful completion of this subject, students will have developed a greater understanding of the police accountability conundrum and of the power of the police and the nature of police government relations.

Synopsis The central question of the subject asks whether external, independent civilian oversight can deliver effective police accountability. Police accountability in a liberal democratic society serves to place the central question in the appropriate political context. It helps to define the formal obligations of the key players to each other; police to government, police to civilian oversight body, oversight body to government or parliament and government to the people. Within the general framework three perspectives are being used as building blocks. They are the power of the police, the nature of police government relationships and the nature of the relationship between governments and police oversight bodies. Concepts of power and the way in which it can be exercised are used as organising concepts.

Assessment Research paper (5000 words): 50%
* Research essay (2500 words): 30%
* Seminar presentation (1500 words): 20%

Prescribed texts

To be advised