POLICE SCIENCES BETWEEN THEORY AND PRACTICE: AN EVALUATION OF SCIENTIFIC GROUNDS THROUGH THE PRISM OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF SCIENCE
Keywords:
Police Science, Scientific disciplines, Scientific methodology, The Constituents of Science, Scientific BasisAbstract
Police science encompasses a range of specialised disciplines focused on the study of policing and policing activities in a science-based manner. Although these disciplines emerged from the practical needs of police work, today they have all the key constitutive elements characteristic of each scientific field: a clear subject of study, a developed methodology, specific terminology, a coherent theoretical system, a strong empirical basis, an internal logical structure, a defined value system, an institutionalized framework, a recognizable social context and a prominent educational function. This paper theoretically analyses each of these determinants to demonstrate that the scientific disciplines of police science are grounded in scientific principles. By applying the analysis of relevant literature and comparing it with scientific standards, the paper determines that disciplines such as police organisation and tactics, police ethics, traffic safety (social aspect), police-criminal topography, and special physical education for the police meet the criteria of science. The results indicate that police sciences have a clearly defined subject of research, use valid scientific methods, develop their own terminology and theoretical models, rely on empirical research, build a logical structure of knowledge, promote professional values, are institutionally supported and reflect the needs of the social context with a significant role in the education of personnel. The paper concludes that the scientific disciplines of police science can be considered full-fledged scientific disciplines. This justifies their equal treatment with other sciences, which is essential for the advancement of police education, research and practice.
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