Policing: Fundamental principles in a Canadian context

Abstract

This article provides an introduction to the place of Canada's police in the public service. It identifies what makes Canada's police services distinct from other parts of the public service, considers the principles under which policing is expected to operate in democratic systems, and reviews current policing challenges. Public understanding of police and police work may not be accurate, since perceptions may be overly influenced by fictional depictions of law enforcement and by police themselves. Incomplete understandings can influence public policy making, including funding decisions, to the detriment of good policing. Finally, the article observes that there may be insufficient research on policing given its aggregate cost and importance to a successful civil society. © The Institute of Public Administration of Canada/L'Institut d'administration publique du Canada 2012.