Police Socialisation, Identity and Culture: Becoming Blue - In-depth

In this review of Police Socialisation, Identity and Culture: Becoming Blue the reviewer finds a thorough, research-driven examination of how new recruits become police officers and how culture forms within forces. Aimed at scholars, practitioners and students of policing, the book's single biggest reason to read is its unique combination of a wide-ranging literature review and a longitudinal, four-year study of recruits that reveals how identity and socialisation evolve in a changing social and economic landscape. This review highlights the book's empirical strengths and relevance to discussions of modern policing in austerity-era contexts.

Key Features

• Longitudinal study: A four-year follow-up of new recruits provides detailed evidence on how attitudes and behaviours develop over time, offering rare temporal depth.
• Literature synthesis: The book reinvigorates the debate by combining an in-depth review of police socialisation and culture literature with original empirical data.
• Contextual analysis: Discussion of social, economic and political change situates police culture within broader forces shaping modern policing.
• Practical insight: Findings offer valuable insights for police officers and managers seeking to understand recruitment, training and identity formation.
• Scholarly relevance: The text is useful for students and academics in policing and criminal justice who require evidence-based analysis of police culture.

Who It's For

This book is best suited to researchers, graduate students and policy makers interested in the empirical study of policing, culture and identity. Police officers and training leads who want evidence-based perspectives on how recruits evolve and how organisational and societal pressures shape policing will also find it valuable.

Readers looking for a quick overview or a practical how-to manual on police training should look elsewhere, as the book emphasises scholarly analysis and longitudinal evidence rather than step-by-step operational guidance.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides an original, empirically based four-year study that strengthens the police culture literature.
• Combines a comprehensive literature review with new data to offer nuanced explanations of identity formation.
• Addresses contemporary challenges, making the research relevant to policing in an age of austerity.

Cons

• The book's academic focus means it is less accessible for readers seeking concise operational guidance for practitioners.

Specifications

Title	Police Socialisation, Identity and Culture: Becoming Blue
Author	Sarah Charman
Study type	Four-year longitudinal study of new recruits
Focus areas	Police socialisation, identity and culture
Context	Policing in England during social and economic change
Audience	Scholars, students, police officers and policymakers

Our Verdict

Police Socialisation, Identity and Culture: Becoming Blue is a valuable, well-researched contribution for anyone studying police culture or engaged in reform and training. Its longitudinal evidence and literature synthesis make it a solid investment for academics and practitioners who need a deeper understanding of how police identities form amid broader social change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the book include original research?
Yes, it contains a four-year longitudinal study of new recruits to a police force in England alongside literature analysis.

Who benefits most from reading this book?
Researchers, graduate students, police trainers and policymakers will gain the most from its empirical and theoretical insights.

Is this a practical training manual?
No, the book prioritises scholarly analysis and evidence over step-by-step operational guidance.