The police reforms and their barriers: a comparative analysis of the interactions between civil society, political society and the police

Abstract

This study examines the dynamics related to social and political reforms of the police. To understand the successes and failures of these reforms is necessary to analyze comparatively the interactions between civil society, political society and the police. It was initially discussed the characteristics and role of each of these political actors in reforms. In the following sections, we analyze the attempts to reform the Police of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and New York (USA) seeking emphasize the particularities of these interactions. We argue that the reforms have been conditioned by the growth of urban violence. To do this, we rely on documentary sources and interviews conducted by author with political leaders and police involved in these reform processes. Finally, we mean that the implementation of reforms involves redefining the role of a police state structure of social control. Key words: Reforms of the police, Urban violence, Social control