In a contemporary setting of increasing social division and marginalisation, Policing Hate Crime interrogates the complexities of prejudice motivated crime and effective policing practices. Hate crime has become a barometer for contemporary police relations with vulnerable and marginalised communities. But how do police effectively lead conversations with such communities about problems arising from prejudice?

Contemporary police are expected to be active agents in the pursuit of social justice and human rights by stamping out prejudice and group-based animosity. At the same time, police have been criticised in over-policing targeted communities as potential perpetrators, as well as under-policing these same communities as victims of crime. Despite this history, the demand for impartial law enforcement requires police to change their engagement with targeted communities and kindle trust as priorities in strengthening their response to hate crime.

Drawing upon a research partnership between police and academics, this book entwines current law enforcement responses with key debates on the meaning of hate crime to explore the potential for misunderstandings of hate crime between police and communities, and illuminates ways to overcome communication difficulties. This book will be important reading for students taking courses in hate crime, as well as victimology, policing, and crime and community.

About the Author

Gail Mason is Professor of Criminology at the University of Sydney

JaneMaree Maher is Associate Professor in the Centre for Women's Studies and Gender Research, Sociology at Monash University

Jude McCulloch is Professor of Criminology at Monash University

Sharon Pickering is Professor of Criminology at Monash University

Rebecca Wickes is Associate Professor at the School of Social Sciences, Monash University

Carolyn McKay lectures in criminal law, procedure and the legal profession at the University of Sydney

Reviews

"This is an authoritative and accessible addition to the existing literature on hate crime. It offers timely insights which have relevance for scholars and practitioners across the world, and its reflections on hate crime terminology, policy and practice have much to offer anyone interested in the challenges surrounding effective community engagement and law enforcement."

Professor Neil Chakraborti, Department of Criminology, University of Leicester, UK

"This book is a welcome addition to the expanding literature on hate crime. At a time where the importance of effective law enforcement responses to hate has rarely been greater, this book offers valuable insights into the myriad of complexities inherently associated with the policing of hate crime and responding to the needs of diverse communities."

Dr Nathan Hall, Associate Head (Academic) and Postgraduate Programme Area Leader, Institute of Criminal Justice Studies, University of Portsmouth, UK

"Policing Hate Crime: Understanding Communities and Prejudice is an innovative contribution to the literature in the field. Drawing upon a unique research partnership between police and academics, this book entwines current law enforcement responses with key debates on the meaning of hate crime to explore the potential for misunderstandings of hate crime between police and communities. In looking at both sides of the equation, it offers new insight into the dynamics of policing hate crime. Significantly, it does not stop at simply laying bare the problems. It also highlights ways in which these communication difficulties might be overcome."

Professor Barbara Perry, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Canada

"In this illuminating book the authors examine an issue at the cutting edge of contemporary social and political debates: the policing of hate crime. Drawing upon the findings from an innovative police-academic research partnership, the authors document the history of the relationships between the police and hate crime victim communities that have often been fractured by poor communication and breakdowns in trust and confidence. Crucially though, the authors also offer constructive organisational and operational policing ideas for how to improve these relationships, making this book an essential read for academics, practitioners and policymakers working in the areas of hate crime and policing."

Professor Jon Garland, Department of Sociology, University of Surrey, UK

Book Information
ISBN 9780367226596
Author Gail Mason
Format Paperback
Page Count 204
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 453g