An Iranian policeman operates a speed gun. Via wikimedia.
Is there any measurable way to tell whether police become more or less focused on crime prevention and public safety in nations that are not fully democratic?
Interesting question. I guess answering it would have to start with a good theory as to why police would change their priorities and behaviors in less democratic countries. Most existing work seems to refer to the fact that democracy provides a level of transparency, public oversight, and accountability over police practice, which make police more professional and responsive to the rule of law than they might be in non-democracies. However, I’m not aware of any scholarship looking at your precise question (i.e. the effects of regime type on police focus on crime prevention and public safety).
Read more in the original post at Political Violence @ a Glance, published 23 July 2014.