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Ben Brucato, a lecturer in the Department of Sociology, has authored a new book, “Race and Police: The Origin of our Peculiar Institutions” (Rutgers University Press, Sept. 2023), which constructs a critical theory of American policing by analyzing a heterodox history of policing, drawn from the historiography of slavery and slave patrols.

Brucato begins by tracing the historical origins of the police mandate in British colonial America, arguing that slavery originated along with a novel, binary conception of race. The book makes the case that policing in the U.S. originated with slave patrols rather than being based on the London Metropolitan Police Service, as orthodox history has taught. Brucato presents evidence that slave patrols did more than maintain order — they fabricated a racial order that remains at the core of policing today.

“Brucato’s focus on the political construction of race in and through police does more than simply correct or reorder the narratives on race and policing, but fundamentally defines them,” says Mike King, author of “When Riot Cops Are Not Enough: The Policing and Repression of Occupy Oakland.” “‘Race and Police’ makes clear contributions that are long overdue in the field.”

Those interested in purchasing the book may use the code RUSA30 for 30% off and free shipping when ordering directly from Rutgers University Press.