Police Science in the 21st Century: Building Theoretical and Methodological Foundations

Police science in the 21st century is an academic field on the rise, whose methodological and theoretical foundations are increasingly evolving. This paper explores the process of constituting police science as a separate interdisciplinary field, analysing the key factors contributing to its scientific foundation. A special focus is placed on defining the subjects of police science, their theoretical paradigms and methodological approaches, and the application of empirical research in the analysis of police work. It also discusses their relationship to related disciplines, such as law, criminology, sociology, and management. Through analysing contemporary trends and challenges, the paper emphasises the need to establish a scientifically based, evidence-based approach to studying police phenomena, thus confirming the academic legitimacy and practical relevance of police science.