Police in America Inspecting the Power of the Badge

What is the role of police in the United States? From their presence in individual communities, to their efforts to maintain order and curb crime, American police forces face the challenges of public scrutiny and government support. Today, those challenges extend to questions surrounding the technology police use for law enforcement purposes, from databases to drones. The urgent issues of racial profiling, police misconduct, and brutality underscore efforts for police reform and training, as seen in recent pushes for accountability through body cameras. The articles in this collection investigate the power of the badge, as well as inquire what police forces need to protect and serve as safely and effectively as possible. Media literacy questions and terms help readers further analyze news coverage and reporting styles.