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Policing

Code: 100442 ECTS Credits: 6
2024/2025
Degree Type Year
2500257 Criminology OB 2

Contact

Name:
Alberto Vilatarsana Silvestre
Email:
alberto.vilatarsana@uab.cat

Teachers

Helena Mulero Alcaraz
Ferran Restrepo Arrufat

Teaching groups languages

You can view this information at the end of this document.


Prerequisites

- The language used for theory and seminars 11 and 12 will be Catalan. Seminar 13 will be held in Spanish.

- The teaching of the subject will be taught taking into account the perspective of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).


Objectives and Contextualisation

This subject has as fundamental aim to offer an overview about policing in our society. That’s to say, its place in the Criminal Justice System, in the Public Administration, its relationships with the public, the functions performed by the police (preventative, reactive and supportive). The course also focuses on the scope and limit of police functions, the police culture, stressing what is common in all police organisation and what varies in function of the models and public policies.

As second objective, complementary to the previous one, this subject contextualises police, security and criminal justice as concentric circles (being security the largest). Students should clearly indentify police role within the framework of Criminal justice and security in general. They should also understand the meaning of its functions, namely, its relationship with crime and law and identify the main traits of the police organisation and those of other usual police partners, especially private security. Eventually students should have basic knowledge on security planning.


Competences

  • Ability to analyse and summarise.
  • Accessing and interpreting sources of crime data.
  • Applying a crime prevention program at a community level.
  • Carrying out the criminological intervention on the basis of the values of pacification, social integration and prevention of further conflicts.
  • Demonstrating a comprehension of the victim's needs on the basis of the knowledge of victimological theories.
  • Drawing up an academic text.
  • Identifying existing social resources to intervene in the conflict and criminality.
  • Students must demonstrate a comprehension of the best crime prevention and intervention models for each specific problem.
  • Students must demonstrate they know a variety of criminal policies in order to face criminality and its different foundations.
  • Students must demonstrate they know the legal framework and operating model of the crime control agents.
  • Using research methods in social sciences in order to diagnose criminality problems.
  • Verbally transmitting ideas to an audience.
  • Working autonomously.
  • Working in teams and networking.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Ability to analyse and summarise.
  2. Acting in a professional way in the criminological field for pacifying, social integration and delinquency-prevention purposes.
  3. Applying a prevention program for crime control agents.
  4. Appropriately applying social resources to criminality.
  5. Appropriately managing a security or prevention team.
  6. Correctly describing in the criminological field the legal-penal framework and crime control agents.
  7. Demonstrating they know the means and scientific procedures of crime prevention.
  8. Drawing up an academic text.
  9. Effectively developing a delinquency prevention program in the community area.
  10. Interpreting crime-related police reports.
  11. Intervening in the criminological field for pacifying, conciliatory and crime-prevention purposes.
  12. Knowing the structural prevention strategy of delinquency.
  13. Properly using the criminological prevention and intervention programs.
  14. Students must be capable of carrying out a security audit in the public field.
  15. Using risk analysis methods in the field of safety.
  16. Using the police analysis methodologies of crime investigation.
  17. Verbally transmitting ideas to an audience.
  18. Working autonomously.
  19. Working in teams and networking.

Content

1. Police and security.

1.1. Security. From state security to citizens and human security.

1.2. Subjective and objective security. Instruments to measure it. The role of Mass Media.

1.3. Definition of security scope. From crime to peaceful living together.

1.4. The police. Function and structure.

1.5. Security and Police : An impossible equivalence. Plurality of actors : Administration, private sector, NGOs, associations.

1.6. Security planning.

2. Legal framework.

2.1. The growing internationalisation of policing. The Council of Europe, the European Union and international treaties.

2.2. The Spanish Constitution and further legislation and state and regional level.

2.3. The Public Security System of Catalonia.

2.4. Cooperation Police-private security. Current regulation.

3. Police and Society.

3.1. Differentiate between models and systems.

3.2. Different models of relation between Police and Society. Public Service Model (Community policing), governmental police and professional police.

3.3. Police and the public : A controversial relationship. The inexistence of one only community.

3.4. Police as permanent public service. Virtues and dangers.

3.5. Legitimacy, Police auctoritas.

3.6.Police ethics : means and ends, corruption, gratuities. International texts.

3.7. Police accountability.

4. The Police and the law.

4.1. Police as Law Enforcement Agency.

4.2. The two dimensions of law: Formal legitimation and limit for police actions.

4.3. The impossible absolute enforcement of law.

4.4. Law as an insufficient approach to policing.

4.5. Police discretion.

5. Police and Crime.

5.1. Persecuting crime as police function : Myth or reality.

5.2. Crime prevention.Situational prevention. Is that the only way in which police can prevent crime?.

5.3. Police patrol and crime : from Kansas City to smart policing. 

5.4. Disorder and crime. From broken windows to Zero Tolerance : an unproved connection.

6. Conflicts, incivilities and public order.

6.1. Police before conflicts and antisocial behaviour. 

6.2. Public order in Democracy : Public security.

6.3. Public order strategies and tactics.

7. Police profession and organisation.

7.1 Police professional : culture and organisation.

7.2. Accessto Police. Single entrance versus double way.

7.3. Specialist versus generalist.

7.4. Central and territorial units : A permanent  unfinished balance.

7.5. Special units : SWAT teams and internal affairs.

7.6. Non police personnel.

7.7. Police unions.

7.8. New internal partners : Guardians, auxiliary officers, volunteers.

8. To be and act as a policeman.

8.1. Values and the police.

8.2. The statutory regime.

8.3. A uniformed citizen.

8.4. Self-control and balance.

8.5. Gender and Police.

9. Police systems. Tendencies.

9.1. Governmental police : France, Italy, Spain and Portugal.

9.2. Police as public service. Community policing with local base : the United Kingdom.

9.3. A new basically local system : Belgium.

9.4 Federal systems: Germany, USA and Canada

9.5. A “de-centralised” system : Spain.

9.6. Importance of the local police area.

9.7. Towards a plural policing model.


Activities and Methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Type: Directed      
Seminar sessions 19.5 0.78 2, 6, 1, 17, 19, 13
lectures 19.5 0.78 2, 6, 1, 17, 13
Type: Autonomous      
Readings, study, papers preparation 80 3.2 2, 3, 6, 1, 18, 13
in group work 26 1.04 2, 6, 11, 8, 1, 19, 13

The activities that students will develop during the course are th following:

1.- Group work. This work will consist of a reasearch and planning about a topic related to : Police incidence on security and criminality. Student will choose the concrete topic among those proposed by the professor at the beginning of the course.

     Work guidelines :

A) Definition of the concepts and state of the art (problem definition). It should include :

  • Legal rules on the topic.
  • Objective data on the topic (statistics, surveys).
  • Exisiting research.

B) Project planning. It should include :

  • Aim of the project.
  • Defintion of clear and concret actions to be carried out to fulfil the aim.
  • Calendar of actions and project.
  • Clear definition of police role.
  • Role of the aditional actors.

C) Evaluation of the project. It should include :

  • Particular indicators that provide with precise information about how the project is working. Indicators have to be objectives (or objectivable), concrete and applicable.
  • Timing to collect data from the indicators. 

D)  Conclusions (when necessary).

2.- Four individual works. 

A) About  the book "Modelos de policía. Hacia un modelo de seguridad global" (Guillén, 2016).

B) Reading and answering four questions related to two articles on predictive police and "hot spots policing".

C) About values and the police.

D) About the comparison of the various police models.

Punctuality:

Lectures and seminars start on time. Late arrival and leaving the class before the end will not be admitted, provided there is not reasonable justification.

Annotation: Within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.


Assessment

Continous Assessment Activities

Title Weighting Hours ECTS Learning Outcomes
Exam 45% 5 0.2 2, 6, 1, 18, 13
Individual papers 30% 0 0 2, 4, 12, 6, 9, 5, 10, 11, 8, 1, 18, 13, 16
Participation in class 10% 0 0 2, 6, 1, 17, 13
in group work 15% 0 0 2, 3, 12, 7, 6, 11, 14, 1, 17, 19, 13, 15

Evaluation.

1. Evaluation model.

The evaluation model is continuous and its training objective is for students and teachers to know the degree of achievement of the established competencies. It will be evaluated :

a) The four individual works. 

b) Group work, which will be presented and discussed collectively so that everyone can have information on the corresponding topic.

c) The written test.

d) Class participation.

2. Conditions to be evaluated.

When the student has not been able to provide sufficient evidence of evaluation of the subject (art. 266.9 UAB Academic Regulations), it will be assessable as long as he/she has carried out a set of activities whose weight is equivalent to a minimum of 2/3 parts of the final grade of the subject. If the value of the activities carried out does not reach this threshold, the teacher of the subject may consider the student as not assessable.

3. Conditions to pass the subject.

a) The students will only be evaluated if they attend 100% of classes. All absences should be justified only for reasons of illness or other force majeure and for academic reasons previously authorized by the lecturer. If any student doesn't attend a minimum of 80% of docent activities willnot be able to pass the subject. 

b) In order to be evaluated, it is necessary to carry out and pass the four individual works, the group work and the written test (this test will consist of two parts: between 20 and 30 test-type questions with multiple answers and two questions to be developed).

4. Resit

If a student does not pass the individual assignments as a whole, he / she will have the opportunity to take aglobal exam to pass the subject.

The final written exam is object of resit approximately two weeks later.

If case of a fail grade of the  assignments or of the  final exam, failing also in the resit,  the student will obtainafail grade.

5. Fraudulent behavior.

Students who cheat or attempt to cheat in an exam will have a zero (0) in the subject and will lose the right to re-evaluation. Students who present an eassay in which there are signs of plagiarism or who cannot justify the arguments presented will receive a zero (0) and a warning. In case of repetition of the conduct, the student will fail the subject (0) and lose the right to the resit exam.

6. Single evalution model.

Students may request a single assessment. To demonstrate the acquisition of the knowledge and skills specific to the subject, three evaluable activities related to the established syllabus will be carried out 

a) Answer to fifty (50) multiple-choice questions (30% of the final mark).

b) Answer to five (5) open questions (40% of the final mark).

c) Guided analysis of a text (30% of the final mark).

To pass the subject you must obtain an overall grade of five (5) points.

The obligatory material is the following :

a) The contents of the all the mandatory bibliography.

b) Understanding of the lectures  (available tothe students through the teacher).


Bibliography

1.- Compulsory bibliography.

Guillén, F. (2012). Policia i seguretat. Servei Publicacions UAB.

Guillén, F. (2016). Modelos de policía. Hacia un modelo de seguridad plural. Bosch editores.

2.- Complementary bibliography.

Basic texts.

Fernández Justes, C, & Yñíguez, A. (2014). Gestió estratègica de la Policia. Organització de l'eficiència en el treball policial. Punto Rojo libros.

Medina, J. (2011). Políticas y estrategias de prevención del delito y seguridad ciudadana. Edisofer, editorial B de F. (chapter VII).

Newburn, T.  (2005). Policing key readings. Willan Publishing.

Newburn, T. (2008). Handbook of policing. Willan Publishing.

Security.

Beck, U. (1998). La sociedad del riesgoPaidós Básica.

Curbet, J. (2010). El rei nu. Una anàlisi de la (in)seguretat ciutadana. CCG Edicions.

García-García, S. (2022). Asociaciones vecinales y organizaciones comunitarias en la gestión de la seguridad. In J. Medina (Ed.), Institucionesde control del delito (pp. 75-90). Dykinson.

Guillén, F. (2020). La falacia de la seguridad objetiva y sus consecuencias”. E-E-Journal of Criminal Sciences. 15, 1-28.

Guillén, F. (2018). Desencuentros entre la Policía y el público. Factores de riesgo y estrategias de gestión. Bosch Editor.

Guillén, F., & Brotat, R. (2023) (Coords.). 40 años de ventanas rotas. Luces y sombras. Bosch Editor.

Martínez Espasa, J. (2016). Las políticas públicas de seguridad ciudadana. Análisis y propuestas desde la criminología. Tirant lo Blanch. 

Murría, M., Sobrino, C. & González, C. (2022). Las políticas locales de seguridad (y prevención). In J. Medina (Ed.), Instituciones de control del delito (pp. 91-104). Dykinson.

Ortiz de Urbina, I. & Ponce, J. (Eds.)  (2008)  Convivencia ciudadana, seguridad pública y urbanismo. Diez textos fundamentales del panorama internacional. Diputació de Barcelona.

San Juan, C., & Vozmediano, L. (2021).  Guía de prevención del delito. Seguridad, diseño urbano, participación ciudadana y acción policial. Bosch editor.

Shearing, C., & Wood, J. (2011). Pensar la seguridad. Editorial Gedisa.

Waller, I. (2008). Menos represión. Más seguridad. Verdades y mentiras acerca dela lucha contrala delincuencia. INACIPE.

Waller, I. (2014). Control inteligente del delito. INACIPE.

Private  security.

Ocqueteau, F. (2004). Polices entreÉtat et Marché. Sciences Po.

Torrente, D. (2015). Análisis de la seguridad privada. Editorial UOC.

Torrente, D. (2022). La Seguridad privada a debate. In J. Medina (Ed.), Instituciones de control del delito (pp. 105-120). Dykinson.

Police.

Barcelona, J. (2006). Sobre el modelo policial español y sus posibles reformas. Fundación Alternativas. http://www.falternativas.org/laboratorio/documentos/documentos-de-trabajo/sobre-el-modelo-policial-espanol-y-sus-posibles-reformas

Bertaccini, D. (2009). La politica di polizia. Bononia University Press.

Bosch, J. (2018). La nostra policia. El model de seguretat de Catalunya des de 1978 fins als atemptats de 2017 i l’1 d’octubre. Eumo editorial.

Carrer, F. (Ed.). (2009). Le politique della sicurezza. Dalla "polizia comunitaria" alla "tolleranza zero". Franco Angeli.

Carrer, F. & Salomon, J C (Coords.) (2011). L'ordine pubblico. Un equilibrio fra ildesordine sopportabile el'ordineindispensabile. Franco Angeli.

De Maillard, J.(2023). Comparative policing. Routledge.

Fernández, C., & Íñiguez, A. (Coords.) (2020). Propostes i estratègies per a un nou sistema policial. Tirant lo Blanch.

Gallardo, R, A., Pérez, H., Planchadell, A. & Pomares, C. (2023). Guía práctica de la mediación policial. Universitat Jaume I. https://repositori.uji.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10234/201978/Sapienta_189.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 

Guillén, F. (2018). Desencuentros entre la policía y el público. Factores de riesgo y estrategias de gestión. Bosch editor.

Guillén, F. (2021). La policía en primera línea contra la pandemia. Reflexiones sobre un papel distorsionadoConstructos Criminológicos, 1(1), 59-82. https://doi.org/10.29105/cc1.1-5

Guillén, F. (2022). Policía : concepto, funciones, modelo. A J. Medina (Ed.), Instituciones de control del delito (pp. 45-49). Dykinson.

Herrera, J. V. (2018). Ética policial y ciutadania. Claves de buenas prácticas en policía y proximidad. Fundación Policía Española. 

Jar, G. (2000). Modelos comparados de policía. Ministerio del Interior. Dykinson.

Kleinig, J. (1996). The ethics of policing. Cambridge University Press.

Lazuén, M P. (1999). Cuerpos de policía y seguridad ciudadana en España: Situación actual y perspectivas de futuro. Ministerio del Interior.

López-Garrido, D. (1982). La Guardia Civil y los orígenes del Estado centralista. Grijalbo.

López-Riba, J. M. (2022). Interacciones con los ciudadanos, poderes policiales, uso de la fuerza y poder simbólico. A J. Medina (Ed.), Instituciones de control del delito (pp. 61-73). Dykinson.

Loubet del Bayle, J. L. (2012). De la Police et du contrôle social. Les éditions du CERF.

Loubet del Bayle, J. L. (2016). Sociologie de la Police. L'Harmattan.

Monjardet. D. (2011). Lo que hace la Policía. Sociología de la fuerza pública. Prometeo Libros.

Newburn, T. (2007). Criminology. Willan Publishing.

Pacheco, A. (2015). Una aproximación al estudio de la cultura organizacional en la Policía Local de la Comunidad Valenciana desde una perspectiva sociològica. Universitat de València. Tesi doctoral. https://roderic.uv.es/bitstream/handle/10550/51958/La+Cultura+Organizacional+de+la+Polic%C3%ADa+Local_Alfredo+Pacheco_Tesis+Doctoral+2015.pdf?sequence=1 

Reiner, R. (2010). The politics of the police. Oxford University Press.

Roché, S. (2016). De la Police en Démocratie. Bernard Grasset.

Tena J. A. (2002). Diccionario de expresiones y términos de interés policial y criminalístico. Tecnos.

Tyler, T. (1990). Why people obey the law. Yale University Press.

Tyler, T. (2003). Procedural justice, legitimacy, and the effective rule of law. Crime and Justice30, 283–357.

Vidales, Caty, & Carque, J L. (Coords.) (2014). Policía comunitaria. Una policía para la sociedad del siglo XXI. Tirant lo Blanch.

Vilatarsana, A. (2015). La necessitat de construir un sistema de policia per a Catalunya. La coresponsabilitat del món local per aconseguir-ho. (Tesi doctoral, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona). https://www.tesisenred.net/handle/10803/298327#page=1

Vilatarsana, A. (2019).  La tecnología tiene que ser un instrumento transformador de las organizaciones policiales. (Blog Notes de seguretat. Generalitat de Catalunya (Entrevista): https://notesdeseguretat.blog.gencat.cat/2019/06/19/albert-vilatarsana-la-tecnologia-tiene-que-ser-un-instrumento-transformador-de-las-organizaciones-policiales/

Vitale, A S. (2017). The end of Policing. Verso.

Vollmer, A. (1936). The Police and modern society. N.J. Patterson.

Wilson, J. Q. (1968). Varieties of police behaviour. Harvard University Press.

Websites

 Crimina. http://crimidata.com/

Bundeskriminalamt (BKA) http://bka.de/

Departament d'Interior (Catalunya). http://interior.gencat.cat

Bloc del Departament d'Interior (Catalunya): Notes de Seguretat. https://notesdeseguretat.blog.gencat.cat

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). http://www.fbi.gov/

Europol. http://www.europol.europa.eu/

Home Office (Ministeri del'Interior del Regne Unit). http://www.police.uk

National institute for higher studies of security and justice of France. http://www.inhesj.fr

John Jay College. http://www.jjay.cuny.edu/

Ministerio del Interior de España (Spanish).  http://www.interior.gob.es/

National Criminal Justice Reference Service (USA). http://www.ncjrs.gov/

Germany police (in German). http://www.polizei.de/

Belgian policea (French and Flemish). http://infozone.be/

United States of America police. http://www.usacops.com/

United Kingdom police. http://www.police.uk

Polizei newsletterhttp://www.polizei-newsletter.de/

What works network (Network of good practices in crime prevention) https://www.gov.uk/guidance/what-works-network


Software

The appropriate one used in the university environment.


Language list

Name Group Language Semester Turn
(TE) Theory 1 Catalan first semester morning-mixed