Interpreting Policework

Originally published in 1987, the achievement of this book is that it combines rigorous theoretical analysis with a wealth of descriptive material drawn from first-hand observation of policing and decision making at all levels, and thus relates sociological theory to practice and political debate at the time.

Roger Grimshaw and Tony Jefferson

Foreword and Acknowledgements. Part I: Theories and Methodologies 1. Shaping a Structural Lens Part II: The Unit Beat System 2. Patrol Report 3. Decoding the Message Part III: The Resident Beat System 4. Working the Patch 5. A Pattern Emerges. Conclusions to Parts II and III. Part IV: The Policy System Introduction to Part IV. 6. What Do We Mean by Policy? 7. The System at Work I: Meetings 8. The System at Work II: Policy Files Part V: Conclusions 9. From the Theory to the Politics of Policework. Appendix: Interview Schedules. References. Index of Names. Index of Subjects.