Policing and human rights: eliminating discrimination, xenophobia, intolerance and the abuse of power from police work

This paper examines racism, xenophobia, discrimination, intolerance and the abuse of power in policing. It presents a critical analysis of theoretical and empirical research studies of police organisations in Britain, South Africa, Australia and the USA. It sets out a framework for protecting fundamental human rights – to safety, liberty and freedom from unlawful intrusion by the state – based on international legal instruments relating to anti-discrimination and the governance of policing. The paper reviews the research on the control of abusive policing through structural and cultural change; innovations in personnel management and training; and the introduction of robust mechanisms to achieve democratic accountability.