Institution of Law Enforcement and Constitutional Developments

Emerging Trends and Enduring Debates

John R. Hermann, Paul Oluwatosin Bello

• Publisher: IntechOpen
• Year: 2026
• Print ISBN:
  9781837698974
• eBook ISBN:
  9781837698967
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Index: Social Sciences

Amid rapid constitutional evolution and persistent policing challenges, this book offers a practical exploration and explanation of the dynamic intersection between law enforcement and constitutionalism. This volume is apt and pertinent to contemporary challenges in law enforcement that intersect with constitutionalism, by dissecting how global, regional, and national constitutional reforms reshape law enforcement operations and mandates, accountability systems, and human rights protections, while confronting systemic issues that erode the credibility and legitimacy of law enforcement in a vacillating milieu. Drawing on interdisciplinary perspectives from police science, constitutional law, and psychology, leading scholars analyzed and critiqued emerging trends in legal politicization in constitutional democracy and in post-communist society, unpacked major ethical and professional misconduct in law enforcement institutions, and their confluence with constitutional imperatives. Critical issues delved into include the politicization of courts in the West and police misconduct in the Global South, highlighting how constitutional courts mediate law enforcement encumbrances in many jurisdictions. Resonating debates resurface: Does constitutional supremacy limit and advance police discretion? Does Judicial Review translate to court autonomy and good governance? How does misconduct impact the public assessment of police legitimacy in Africa? The book raises these questions through empirical studies, robust analysis, and progressive reforms, advocating law enforcement accountability amid rising police misconduct and constitutional law concerns. Necessary reading for policymakers, academics, and practitioners, this collection bridges the gap between theory and practice, striving for a reimagined law enforcement paradigm that respects and fulfills constitutional promises without compromising public safety. As democratic institutions face populist pressures and technological disruptions, it charts the path for resilient and equitable justice systems on a global scale.

Table of contents

• Institution of Law Enforcement and Constitutional Developments - Emerging Trends and Enduring Debates
• Contents
• Preface
• Section 1 The Introduction
• Section 2 Constitutional Law
• Section 3 Law Enforcement