ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the history and context of police administration. The police manager’s job is greatly influenced by historical, social, political, legal, and democratic factors; an understanding and appreciation of these factors will help police managers adjust to their roles and be more effective. We stress that police executives need to develop community-oriented approaches to police administration to complement the community policing strategies and tactics being implemented by their officers. We also introduce the homeland security mission, which has added new complexity to modern police administration.
