As the issue of police conduct in both industrialized and non- industrialized countries has reached several international agendas, contributors from the social sciences, justice, and human rights examine recent experiences with and prospects for civilian oversight, and how the relatively new method of accountability has been interpreted and implemented in a wide range of jurisdictions around the world. Distributed in the US by ISBS. c. Book News Inc.

Buren provides an in-depth evaluation of a citizen-police oversight mechanism and demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the purposes of citizen oversight and the parameters in which it can be developed. She identifies those elements that make some citizen oversight mechanisms more effective than others. Citizen oversight can be a valuable tool in ensuring police accountability, butits success often depends upon the dedication and veracity of those involved in the process. In addition, law enforcement agencies that implement citizen oversight voluntarily--prior to a highly publicized and incident--have more success, since the issue is less politicized and more time is spent developing a quality process.