Book excerpt: A concise and up to date introduction to criminology for those undertaking degrees and foundation degrees in policing, police studies and related subjects. It provides an introduction to criminological perspectives on the development of the police service over the last 200 years alongside an overview of contemporary themes. Key topics include the changing role of policing, police governance and accountability, policing philosophies and strategies and the globalisation of policing. The book also examines the role criminology has played in the modernisation agenda and police reform, the shift to evidence-led policing, and the relationship between criminological theory and police practice.