For courses in Introduction to Policing and Law Enforcement. Praised for its scholarship, this book uses the "Balance of Forces" metaphor to examine three primary correlates of police practice-police organizations, officers and communities. Written in a conversational tone, it offers extensive coverage of police history, the current structure of the police industry, and critical police functions. With enhanced visuals and extensive references, this book helps students develop an appreciation for the "big picture" and strives to integrate the broad research on policing into one coherent perspective.