Policing is a central function of states. In recent decades, police forces around the globe have become more militarized—adopting the weaponry, organizational structures, and accountability more typical of military forces.

The Policing Lab at Hamilton College works to document the spread of militarized policing internationally, and conduct research about the causes and consequences of global police militarization. Research in progress will help explain how militarized policing spread, why it spread in the way that it did, and what the political consequences have been.

Student researchers in the Lab have the opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research on policing, and develop skills in data collection and analysis. Information about current openings in the Lab can be found here.