Introduction

This introduction chapter situates the different contributions to the book in relation to the wider context of policing in Britain, recent scandals, and community mobilisations demanding justice and accountability. The chapter discusses the concept of ‘crisis’ as the framework to which all contributions are anchored. It questions the common use of ‘crisis’ to frame cases of police misconduct and violence examining how the different narratives of and perspectives on ‘crisis’ shape different responses and solutions, from reform to abolition. This sets the context for the academic and activist contributions that follow. The chapter concludes with a brief introduction to each chapter in the volume.