Contemporary policing is developing rapidly and is become increasingly professionalized. For practitioners National Occupational Standards, Skills for Justice and the new PDLP (Police Development and Leaning Program) have brought a new emphasis on skills, standards and knowledge. Training for police officers and civilian staff working in policing is being significantly upgraded. At the same time it has become more rigorous, with universities and other higher educational institutions playing an increasingly important part in police training - as well as expanding the range of policing courses for undergraduate and postgraduate students.This Dictionary is one of a new series of Dictionaries covering key aspects of criminal justice and the criminal justice system and designed to meet the needs of both students and practitioners.