The Futures of policing : going beyond the thin blue line

Abstract Is proactive and predictive policing possible? Based on an examination of drivers and emerging issues related to law enforcement, this article explores the alternative futures of policing. Four scenarios are posited: (1) Policing that is unable to adapt but no one cares, (2) Policing value in question, (3) Policing fragmented, and (4) Prevention in Policing. The essay concludes by linking general policing futures with the ‘Pearls in Policing’ action learning process as one way to move policing from reactive to preventive.