This comprehensive history of policing from the 18th century onwards draws on largely unused police archives. The text addresses all the major issues of debate, and explores the impact of legislation and policy at both national and local levels.

A comprehensive history of policing from the eighteenth century onwards, which draws on largely unused police archives. Clive Emsley addresses all the major issues of debate; he explores the impact of legislation and policy at both national and local levels, and considers the claim that the English police were non-political and free from political control. In the final section, he looks at the changing experience of police life. Established as a standard introduction to the subject on its first appearance, the Second Edition has been substantially revised.