WATCHMAN AND COMMUNITY - MYTH AND INSTITUTIONALIZATION IN POLICING

The author uses a conceptual framework grounded in theory of instituti onal process to assess developments in the theory of community-based p olicing. He suggests that two contemporary myths in policing-the myth of the police watchman and the myth of community-provide core elements the theory. Both liberal and conservative advocates for reform have d rawn on these myths to support reinstitutionalizing police as communit y protectors with broad authority, including authority to arrest, unco nstrained by law enforcement or due process considerations. He also di scusses fundamental differences in the ways in which liberal and conse rvative reform advocates perceive the relationship between the myths.