NCJ Number
243440
Journal
Criminology & Criminal Justice Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2013 Pages: 215-230
Date Published
April 2013
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article analyzes aspects of the Big Society in relevance to policing.
Abstract
In British politics, it is clear that the idea of the 'Big Society' encompasses many aspects of state activity and civil society, including the work of constabularies. Implications of ideas related to the Big Society implemented in police policy and practice, particularly in the area of police race relations, are considered in this article. No matter what changes that may take place, they will be mediated by the police occupational culture, which itself might be changed by Big Society ideas and concurrent, significant cuts to police budgets. The article begins with a consideration of whether one adequately understands how police organizations change. Janet Chan's use of Bourdieu's ideas on the relationship between 'field' and 'habitus' is criticized. In light of this discussion, the article considers aspects of police race relations. In particular, the implications of 'seeing like a citizen' and 'participative policing', Big Society ideas identified by Martin Innes, are discussed. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.