The three-volume Encyclopedia of Law Enforcement aims to provide a comprehensive and critical overview of law enforcement on the state and local, federal and national, and international stages.  This work is a unique reference source that will provide readers with informed discussions on the practice and theory of policing in an historical and contemporary framework.   Each volume will treat subjects that are particular to the area of state and local, federal and national, and international policing.

Many of the themes and issues of policing cut across borders, however, and several entries will provide comparative information that place the subject in context.   The State and Local and Federal and National volumes are arranged by subject.  The International Volume takes a combined approach incorporating  several topical, comparative entries, with treatments of individual countries.  Each entry includes suggestions for further reading that will guide readers to the rich resources available for learning about the history, issues and concerns of policing around the globe.  The encyclopedia will provide cross-references for important topics.  It will be a unique reference tool for students at all levels, for teachers, for libraries, journalists, and for anyone with an interest in law enforcement.

The editors are specialists in criminal justice with particular interests in law enforcement.  The encyclopedia has a distinguished international advisory board consisting of the top scholars in law enforcement.