Robert Reiner

Robert Reiner is a British criminologist and one of the most influential scholars in the sociology of policing. As Professor Emeritus of Criminology at the London School of Economics, Reiner has spent decades analyzing the political, cultural, and social dynamics that shape modern police work. His research bridges empirical studies of police culture with theoretical frameworks from sociology, political science, and criminology, providing a critical lens on how policing both reflects and reinforces wider social power structures.

Reiner’s work is foundational in understanding policing as a political institution, deeply intertwined with issues of legitimacy, authority, and state power. His influential book The Politics of the Police synthesizes historical, sociological, and political perspectives to examine how law enforcement adapts to changing societal conditions while maintaining its role in upholding social order. He has been at the forefront of debates on police legitimacy, the impact of neoliberal governance on policing, and the role of mass media in shaping public perceptions of crime and law enforcement.