6: Policing
- Page ID
- 44913
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At the end of this section, students will be able to:
- Discuss how the history of policing relates to current policing
- List the different parts of the history of policing
- Recognize the four eras of policing and identify the important parts of each era
- Explain why Sir Robert Peel is important to policing
- Describe how August Vollmer impacted policing
- List what three issues marked the Political Reform Era
- Illustrate several important occurrences during the Community Policing Era
- Discuss why the fourth era of policing is the Homeland Security Era
In this section, you will be introduced to the history of policing in the United States. Today, policing is under the microscope to ensure past mistakes are not repeated and forward momentum is reached. It is for this reason this section will explore the history, as well as the foundations, that the American policing system was built upon.
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why is the history of policing important to understand?
- What about kin policing made it not a good form of policing?
- What are the four eras of policing?
- How was the Homeland Security Era established?
- Why was Sir Robert Peel important to policing?
- What did August Vollmer believe police should be doing?
- 6.1: Policing in Ancient Times
- This page provides an overview of the history of policing, beginning with kin policing around 1750 BC. It highlights the significance of early legal codes such as the Code of Hammurabi and Mosaic Law, and the evolution of organized policing in ancient Greece and Rome, influenced by figures like Peisistratus and Augustus Caesar.
- 6.2: Sir Robert Peel
- This page discusses the transformation of policing in the 19th century in the United States, primarily influenced by Sir Robert Peel, the father of modern policing. In 1829, Peel established the first British police force and introduced the Peelian Principles which emphasized ethical policing, organization, government oversight, community respect, and the importance of police training and conduct.
- 6.3: Policing Eras
- This page outlines the evolution of U.S. policing through distinct eras: the Political Era, marked by corruption and the foundation of police departments; the Reform Era, which introduced professionalism and scientific techniques; and the Community Era, focusing on collaboration with communities.
- 6.4: Levels of Policing and Role of Police
- This page outlines various career paths in policing and law enforcement, detailing opportunities beyond local roles, such as federal positions and specialized fields. It emphasizes educational requirements, particularly for federal jobs, and differentiates between commissioned and civilian roles. The importance of teamwork among agencies is highlighted, along with examples of collaboration.
- 6.5: Recruitment and Hiring in Policing
- This page covers the Law Enforcement Testing Preparation (LET Prep) process, highlighting the importance of thorough study and preparation for aspiring police officers. Key components include written tests, physical agility assessments, oral board interviews, assessment centers, and psychological evaluations. The hiring process also addresses drug policies and medical exams, emphasizing transparency and truthfulness in evaluations.
- 6.6: Recruitment and Hiring Websites for Future Careers
- This page highlights the significance of understanding historical drug use policies for aspiring law enforcement professionals, especially within the FBI. It offers links to recruitment sites for various federal and state agencies, such as the CIA and DEA, emphasizing the importance of eligibility criteria related to past drug use for potential applicants.
- 6.7: Police Misconduct, Accountability, and Corruption
- This page addresses police misconduct and accountability, defining two types of corruption: "grass eaters," who accept minor benefits, and "meat eaters," who engage in serious wrongdoing like extortion. It introduces noble-cause corruption, where officers bend ethics for justice, and stresses the need for effective internal affairs divisions. The complexities in measuring excessive force are highlighted.
- 6.8: Current Issues - Police Shootings
- One of the most controversial issues in regards to policing in the 21st century are police shootings. The ‘police shooting’ topic causes much debate and is always in the headlines of every media outlet when it occurs. After an officer-involved shooting, citizens want answers, rightfully so. Unfortunately, police departments cannot immediately provide those answers. The all too familiar ‘no comment’ or ‘we do not have any information at this time’ does not appease the general public.
- 6.9: Current Issues - Use of Force and Vehicle Pursuits
- This page discusses the delicate balance of police officers' use of force, highlighting legal concerns related to excessive force and the DOJ's involvement in civil rights violations. It notes the complications in measuring police force due to situational variability and emphasizes the increased regulation of vehicle pursuits, driven by high fatality rates among bystanders, with restrictions now primarily applied to situations posing immediate public safety threats.
- 6.10: Current Issues- Stereotypes in Policing
- This page explores the effects of stereotyping in social interactions and policing, highlighting the rapid formation of initial impressions. It discusses the necessity of proactive policing, which can lead to implicit bias and community mistrust.
- 6.11: Current Issues - Accountability
- This page examines the gap between public perceptions of police practices and the reality of policing, particularly concerning Miranda rights. It notes that citizens often base their understanding on media misrepresentations. The page clarifies that Miranda warnings are required only during interrogations, not during arrests for observed crimes. It underscores the need for police accountability and advocates for higher standards due to the authority held by law enforcement.
- 6.12: Current Issues - Internal Affairs and Discipline
- Internal affairs (IA) exists to hold officers accountable for their actions. Whenever there is an issue, either brought forth by another officer, a supervisor or a member of the general public, the IA division of the police department is responsible for conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Members of the IA division work directly under the Chief or Sheriff.
- 6.13: Current Issues - Body Cameras
- This page examines the pros and cons of police body cameras, highlighting that while they can help address complaints and enhance accountability, they offer a limited perspective on incidents and can be deactivated by users. Although body cameras are useful for combating police misconduct, experts warn against viewing them as a standalone solution, suggesting they should be integrated into a larger strategy for improving police-community relations.
- 6.14: Myth - "Police Only Write Speeding Tickets to Harass Citizens and it is Entrapment"
- This page examines the legality of traffic citations, indicating that police visibility and speed limit signs are not necessary for valid tickets. It differentiates legitimate speed enforcement from entrapment, using a hypothetical example. The text emphasizes that speeding citations promote road safety and encourage drivers to take responsibility for their offenses, framing citations as crucial for reducing traffic-related fatalities rather than as harassment.