Core Issues in Policing

Course Coordinator: Dr Wayne Chan,PhD (HKU); MSSc (National University of Singapore)

Course Developers: Dr Wilkie Y H Kwong, Consultant

LESM A301 Core Issues in Policing provides students with an appreciation of the core issues facing policing today and specifically considers these in the context of Hong Kong. Students will be made aware of the impacts of process of social change which has demanded a re-emphasis on service orientation, effectiveness and efficiency. The extent to which policing philosophy and strategy have changed or adapted to meet these challenges will be considered and evaluated.

This is one of the two alternative compulsory, higher-level courses (the other one being LESM A305) specially designed for students who take the following study programmes in Law Enforcement and Security Management: Higher Diploma, Bachelor of Social Sciences and Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours). It will also be of interest to students majoring in sociology and political science within the Social Sciences programme to broaden their knowledge of the interrelationship between the police as an institution, and the various facets of society — especially in the context of Hong Kong.

Aims
This course aims to enable students to understand the relationship between police and society, to examine the extent to which culture influences the way policing is conducted, to examine the responsibility and accountability of police in modern society, and to understand the concepts and practices of community policing, private policing and partnership policing. The course also aims to stimulate students to draw their own conclusions concerning the ability of the Hong Kong Police to meet society’s expectations.

Contents
The course covers the following topics:

• The principles of modern policing
• Police culture and the control of police deviance
• Police accountability and ethics
• Private policing and partnership policing
• Globalization and its impact on policing
• Policing and technology
• Core issues in the Hong Kong context

Learning support
There will be eight to ten two-hour tutorials at regular intervals and three day schools over the span of the course.

Assessment
The five assignments during the course will make up 50% of the course grade, with the final examination carrying the other 50% of the grade. Students are required to submit assignments via the Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Set book(s)
There are no set books for this course.