Author Kenneth Peak feels that this, the fourth edition of Policing America, is by far "bigger and better" than its three predecessors, providing a comprehensive view of the largely misunderstood, often obscure world of policing. New to This Edition: bull; bull;New chapter on community oriented policing and problem solving bull;Discussions of terrorism (and the practices and technology being developed to combat it) bull;Less-than-lethal weapons bull;Hate crimes bull;Stalking bull;Updated court decisions The fourth edition continues to provide in-depth coverage of such topics as patrol, the police subculture, accountability, civil liability, extraordinary problems and practices, the rule of law, investigations, policing in selected foreign venues, and policing in the future. The author brings more than 30 years of both scholarly and policing backgrounds to this effort; as a result, the chapters contain a "real world" flavor not found in most policing textbooks. Disseminated throughout the book are several "Practitioner's Perspectives"-short essays written by selected individuals who have expertise in particular areas of policing. From its introduction, written by Darrel W Stephens, police chief of Charlotte, North Carolina, through the final chapter, the reader is provided with a penetrating view of what is certainly one of the most difficult and challenging occupations in America.