Policing research in an age of austerity

Austerity measures faced by most police services, the proposals in the Winsor report and the professionalization debate evoked by the Neyroud report reflect reforms that have not been seen since the 1960 Royal Commission. The sociology of policing has a long history contributing to our understanding of policing, in practice and as an institution of the state. This paper draws upon this legacy to consider two inter-linked questions. First, it argues the role of police research is critical to the impartial analysis of the impact of austerity measures in the rationalisation of resources and the implementation of new approaches to policing and police governance. Second, the sociology of policing contributes to the knowledge base to enhance the professionalization of policing in higher education. The paper will argue that the sociology of policing should have a key role in shaping the future of policing while the absence of funding for empirical research could have significant consequences for policing and police governance of the future.