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When the issue of racial profiling by police departments came tlight, it became a hot topic for criminology researchers The conspicuous role of the American police touches a nerve, and often puts politics in the drivers seat of research in this area However, learning more about police operations is important from both a scientific and policy analytic standpoint as well As the social and political environment changes and new investigative and prevention technologies appear, it is critical tunderstand the impact these external influences have on the efficiency, effectiveness and fairness of policing One of the most comprehensive reports of research on police departments was released in 2004 - the National Research Councils report Fairness and Effectiveness in Policing: The Evidence Summarizing four decades of research, the report keeps a watchful eye toward policy significance This volume of The Annals touches on many of the themes included in the National Research Councils report Yet it goes well beyond restating the reportÆs principal themes The contributors tthis special issue take many of them further, and in newer directions, than an official report allows, and they offer innovative perspectives on the condition of American policing Scrutinizing the role of existing research in the field of police studies, this issue goes on tcover important topics such as current trends in police organizations; how the publicÆs perception of police restraint and fairness shape police images; the effectiveness of tailored responses versus a one-size-fits-all approaches; the role of public support in determining the success of a department; issues surrounding police supervision and self-management, and more With a balanced look at both policy and practice, this issue will help social scientists and policy makers alike gain a clearer view of the police landscape It elevates the research in this field ta new level and provides a sturdy foundation for future studies and new policies, including policies toward research itself
