Comparative Policing: Theory and Praxis

• Authors: Roelofse, Cornelis

Abstracts

EN

This article propagates a theoretical basis for performing comparative studies in policing. Researchers, carryingout comparative studies should be familiar with the fundamental constructs that underpins policing philosophy, strategyand operations. The fundamental constructs, namely political philosophy, culture and religion, and law underpins policingphilosophy and style while the contextual constructs, crime, economy and demography, are influenced by these fundamentalsand also, as a result of their reciprocal influence amongst themselves, inform policing strategy and operations. Policing agenciesfluctuate on a dichotomy of open and closed systems and the goal achievement system responds to all these influences and betweencentralised and decentralised policing. This article focuses on some of the theoretical and practical issues in performing comparativestudies within and amongst police agencies. Comparisons need to be clearly demarcated, starting firstly with the topic. Theoryand praxis should speak to one another and form the foundation of comparative studies in policing. Without a thoroughunderstanding of the constructs, comparative studies may lack depth and quality. Researchers, undertaking comparative studiesshould be familiar with the fundamental constructs that underpin policing philosophy, strategy and operations. Furthermorethe contextual constructs, influenced both by the fundamental ones and also as a result of their reciprocal influence amongstthemselves, also lead to policing strategy and operations. Understanding the reciprocity amongst the different constructs is essentialfor critical analyses as the basis for comparative studies.

Keywords

EN

comparative; policing; fundamental constructs; political; legal system; Religion; contextual constructs

• Publisher: Wyższa Szkoła Policji w Szczytnie
• Journal: Internal Security
• Year: 2015
• Volume: 7(2)
• Pages: 245-265

Contributors

author

Roelofse, Cornelis

Identifiers

DOI

10.5604/20805268.1212127