Police organizations across the globe are experiencing major changes. Many nations cope with funding constraints as pressures within their societies, terrorism and transnational crime, and social and political transformations necessitate a more democratic form of policing. Drawn from the proceedings at the International Police Executive Symposium in Prague and other IPES projects, Global Environment of Policing is composed of case studies from more than fourteen countries and six continents. Divided into four sections, the book presents contributions from high-level police executives, practitioners, and academics.

Policing, Crime Control, and the Community explores community policing in Latin America and the United States and describes the effectiveness of a "zero tolerance" policy in New York City. It also presents a historical case study of policing in Portugal.

Policing, Politics, and Democracy examines challenges confronting developing countries, policing in Brazil, police accountability mechanisms in India, and concerns regarding the democratization of policing.

Policing: Global Challenges considers a range of contemporary issues within the policing environment, including policing cyberspace, police agencies’ striving for legitimacy, how law enforcement policies travel worldwide, and the problems of organized crime and people smuggling.

Police Leadership, Management, Education, and Organization reflects on the growing issue of police reform. It discusses the infusion of private sector thinking into state police organizations, conflicts between police unions and management, training and models for police education, and police accountability in Bangladesh.

The final chapter draws conclusions about the research presented in the book and provides a window on future concerns. With insight from world leaders in academia and in the field, the book offers sage insight into the most critical issues facing contemporary police organizations.