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  • General Recommendations
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Policing in America: An Introductory Reading List

Policing in the United States has a long and complex history shaped by law, politics, race, and public debate. This reading list offers an introduction to the development of American policing, its role in today's society, and the challenges surrounding accountability, reform, and public trust. The selected books include historical overviews, and perspectives to support informed exploration of one of this country's most debated institutions.

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15 items

  • Defund

    Black Lives, Policing, and Safety for All

    Hudson, Sandy, 1985-
    Book, 2025New York : Pantheon Books, 2025 — 363.209 Hudson
  • An Inconvenient Cop

    My Fight to Change Policing in America

    Raymond, Edwin, 1986-
    Book, 2023New York : Viking, [2023] — Bio Raymond
  • Rise of the Warrior Cop

    the Militarization of America's Police Forces

    Balko, Radley,
    Book, 2021New York : PublicAffairs, 2021 — 363.2097 Balko, R
  • Standing My Ground

    a Capitol Police Officer's Fight for Accountability and Good Trouble After January 6th

    Dunn, Harry (Police officer),
    Book, 2023New York, NY : Hachette Books, 2023 — Bio DUNN, H
  • We Own This City

    a True Story of Crime, Cops, and Corruption in An American City

    Fenton, Justin,
    Book, 2021New York : Random House, [2021] — 364.1 Fenton
  • The Riders Come Out at Night

    Brutality, Corruption, and Cover Up in Oakland

    Winston, Ali,
    Book, 2023New York : Atria Books, 2023 — 363.2 Winston, A
  • Cop Cop

    Breaking the Fixed System of American Policing

    Muir, Mac,
    Book, 2025New York : Zando, 2025 — 364.132 Muir
  • The Highest Law in the Land

    How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy

    Pishko, Jessica,
    Book, 97805934713192024[New York] : Dutton, 97805934713192024 — 363.282 Pishko
  • Uneasy Peace

    the Great Crime Decline, the Renewal of City Life, and the Next War on Violence

    Sharkey, Patrick,
    Book, 2018New York, N.Y. : W. W. Norton & Company, 2018 — 307.73 Sharkey, P
  • The New Jim Crow

    Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness

    Alexander, Michelle
    Book, 2012New York, N.Y. : New Press, 2012 — 364.973 Alexander
  • America on Fire

    the Untold History of Police Violence and Black Rebellion Since the 1960s

    Hinton, Elizabeth Kai, 1983-
    Book, 2021New York, NY : Liveright Publishing Corporation, a division of W. W. Norton & Company, [2021] — E185.615 .H52 2021