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History of Policing in England and Wales from 1974

History of Policing in England and Wales from 1974 A Turbulent Journey

Author: Timothy Brain
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 9780199218660
Published In: March 2010
Format: Paperback , 496 pages
Jurisdiction: U.K. ? Disclaimer:
Countri(es) stated herein are used as reference only

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Provides an engaging and descriptive chronology of policing from 1974 to the present day
Written by a former chief constable, providing the professional insight of someone involved in policing for much of the period
Offers a thoroughly researched historical analysis -the first detailed history of the entire period
Vividly describes the major events from policing the Miners' Strike of 1984 to the impact of major crime investigations such as the Yorkshire Ripper
Examines the key events and policies that shaped the police service during the period
Explores the themes of social stability, the professionalization of policing, community relations, centralisation and police reform

In 1974 local government reforms became the catalyst for the introduction of a new police service structure, creating 43 separate forces under a new tripartite system. The years since then represent one of the most profoundly turbulent periods of British political, economic and social life. It was a time of great change, and the police service was at the very centre of those changes. Today the service is only superficially recognisable as the one which entered the final quarter of the 20th.

A History of Policing in England and Wales from 1974: The Turbulent Years

offers a detailed and descriptive chronology of the period, exploring the key themes of order and social stability, the professionalization of the police service, centralization, the dynamics of police community relations, and the 'reform' programmes of the Thatcher, Major and Blair administrations, in particular charting the failure of the Charles Clarke drive for amalgamations in 2005/6.

Written by a former chief constable involved in policing throughout much of the period, the book vividly describes the great events of the time, including the threat and ultimate defeat of IRA terrorism; the urban riots of the 1980s; major crime investigations - such as the 'Yorkshire Ripper', the West Case, and the Soham murders - and their lasting impact; the controversial policing of the 1984 Miners' Strike; and the return of terrorism to the British mainland in 2005.

Readership: The primary markets will be police officers, policing academics, students on police foundation courses and police studies students. It will also be of interest to students and researchers of general 20th century history , criminal justice studies, criminology, politics, public administration and policy development. It will also sell into university and police force libraries.

I: 1974
II: The Struggle for Stability: 1975-1979
III: Fracture: 1980-1985
IV: 'A bloody good hiding': 1985
V: Nadir: 1986-1989
VI: The Crucible of Recovery: 1989-1990
VII: Police Reform 1 - the Conservatives: 1991-1993
VIII: Police Reform 2 - the Conservatives: 1993-1997
IX: New Labour and the police: 1997-2001
X: Police reform revived: 2001-2005
XI: Damocles unbound: 2005-2007
XII: A tale of two winters: 2007-2009
XIII: Reflection

Timothy Brain, Former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police

"facinating reading, offering a perspective on contemporary social history that is almost unique, the book is a boon to researchers in this field as well as general readers." - Phillip Taylor MBE, Richmond Green Chambers

"Brain's subtle and considered professional overview of the police and its practices over 35 years directly confronts some of the most challenging scenes of the rule of law in a modern democracy and the relationship of the police with politicians, the media and the public." - The Times The Review May 2010