Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides a focus for critical reflection on some of the central developments taking place within western police services. It presents some of the core thoughts and central concepts of intelligence-led policing (ILP). The book concerns the structural and cultural barriers encountered by police services when moving from reactive policing and the standard policing model, into proactive and knowledge-based policing. It explores the development of legislation allowing the use of covert coercive measures, such as wire-tapping, audio surveillance and data reading, to pro-actively prevent, rather than reactively investigate, attacks on national security. The book deals with the use of wiretapping and communication control in Norway. It discusses the advent of big data, self-learning algorithms and profiling software, which contributes to predictive policing practices experienced as important changes in modern police services.