Policing and the Powers of Persuasion The Changing Role of the Association of Chief and Police Officers

This text examines the role of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) within British policing and police policy-making. Based on the first ever empirical study of ACPO, involving interviews with over 60 members of ACPO and many others connected with British policing, the book charts the changing position of ACPO over time and the influence which ACPO has over both policing policy and criminal justice policy more generally. In doing so it draws from a range of themes including patterns of police governance and accountability, police culture and policy networks. It concludes with a critical assessment of the doctrine of "constabulary independence". The book provides an insight into the workings of a body which represents the most senior police officers in the land.

Police governance and policing policy-making; ACPO - an introduction; the changing role of ACPO - cultural and organizational formulation; becoming an ACPO member - selection and training for senior managers in the police service; ACPO and policy-shaping at the local level; ACPO and policing policy - the politics of representation and national policy making; ACPO - getting their act together?

Stephen Savage is Professor of Criminology and Director of the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth. Sarah Charman is Lecturer in Criminology in the Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth. Stephen Cope is Principal Lecturer in Public Policy in the School of Social and Historical Studies, University of Portsmouth.