Police work from an international comparative perspective

The course addresses three themes within the field of international policing from a comparative perspective. One theme is comparative and examines policing in different countries in relation to one another. Within the main field of Police Work, issues such as similarities and differences in leadership, governance, and education across various police organizations are explored. Another component of the course focuses on the internationalization of knowledge within police work. Students will practice critically examining what occurs in the transfer of policing models between different countries and contexts. Many countries implement similar strategies and operational models, yet there is often a lack of critical discussion regarding the extent to which models developed in specific national contexts (often in countries such as the United States or the United Kingdom) are transferable to other settings. The third area addresses how policing is influenced by international trends such as globalization, migration, and transnational crime (e.g., drug trafficking, money laundering, and human trafficking). This component focuses on the challenges these developments pose for police organizations, as well as how international trends affect the organization, priorities, and practices of policing.