Police and Culture: A Comparison between China and the United States

Cross-cultural police studies allow an understanding of the range of variation and common elements in the field of policing. This article was written on the basis of information gathered on policing and its cultural environment in China and the United States. The relationship between police and culture was examined by comparing the Chinese and American police, taking into account the broader social processes and larger societal patterns. This article specifically illustrates how cultures as larger social contexts and as internalized values influence the organization, operations, and behaviors of police in these two countries. Some theoretical and policy implications for policing are discussed.