Practice in the anthropology of policing

The anthropology of public policy has developed a significant base of research and theoretical contributions to the study of public policy. In this chapter, the author describes her pathway—from research to practice to policy—to demonstrate the application of anthropology in solving complex human and societal issues. In using her experience as one example of the pragmatic engagement of anthropology, she offers avenues for bringing practice into the anthropology of policing. The distinction she make between applied and practicing is one of positioning and the actual doing of work. As a practicing anthropologist, she worked outside an academic institution in a professional position with discrete projects, duties and responsibilities that use both her content knowledge and methodological and analytical skills. The author presents a professional accounting of discrete experiences that have collectively built a practice in the anthropology of policing. The new training highlighted the tension in adopting practices beyond the law enforcement function.