4.6: Reform
- Page ID
- 48197
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As the United States became its own country and the number of citizens expanded, numerous reforms will take place with American law enforcement. According to the principles of the United States Constitution the various police departments in the United States were to be decentralized, not under the control of the federal government. Since the various municipal police departments were managed locally, broad differences in how the various police departments operate, function, and interact with their citizens have become established. Despite these differences from department to department some common early reforms can be discussed.
1854- Uniforms
The first uniforms were introduced. While the use of uniforms would alert deviant individuals to police presence, uniforms also allowed general members of the public to know who to turn to for assistance and who they should be able to trust. Uniforms also allow officers to recognize one another and based on the insignia on the uniforms, be able to identify who is on charge at the scene. While uniforms vary from one jurisdiction to another, common elements such as the use of a badge or shield, have evolved.
1867- Telegraph
One of the first police telegraph boxes was installed. The use of the telegraph allowed officers to be informed of urgent matters as well as ask for assistance from other officers (back-up) when needed. This use of telegraph technology occurred about 20 years after the invention of the telegraph. This use of technology by law enforcement several years after many citizens in society already had access to a particular technology is a trend that has often been repeated.
Image 4.9
1892-Bicycles
Prior to the use of the bicycle for patrol, many early constables patrolled about 20 miles a day for weeks on foot often without a day off. The earliest use of the bicycle by police reportedly occurred in 1869 in an Illinois sheriff department but the bicycles were heavy and not very comfortable to ride on poor quality roads, they were also quite expensive. By 1892 bicycles had improved to essentially its modern form and so in this year both in New Jersey and Connecticut officers were officially being trained for bicycle patrol.
1893-IACP
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) was founded in 1893, meaning it has advanced the science and art of police services for over 100 years. The IACP advocated for the use of data collection, such as the UCR, to monitor police practices, foster police cooperation, and provide information which could be used in police work around the globe. The use of fingerprints was also advocated by the IACP early in the 20th century.
1900's- Vollmer
In the early 20th century August Vollmer was a leading figure in the development of the field of criminal justice in the United States. Vollmer is often credited with modernizing American policing. He served as Berkeley California’s first chief of police from 1909 to 1931. While in office Vollmer band bribery and gifts among the officers and instituted many reforms which transformed policing into a modern profession. Despite having only a sixth grade education himself he started police schools where officers could learn about the laws of evidence and he encouraged University training for police. In fact he was one of the first police chiefs to require officers to get college degrees.
1909- Police Car
In 1909 Detroit was testing a form of police car to supplement their bicycle and mounted units. The need for police cars was in response to a need to keep up with the motorized vehicles that were being driven by offenders. There were motorized patrol wagons around 1904. These wagons were large enough to transport an entire squad perhaps leading to the term squad car. Though motorcycles were probably used more than cars from about 1911 through 1930s by the end of the 1930s the use of cars for police transportation was the norm.
1919-Boston Police Strike
Just as Boston was the first formal American Police Department, it also was home for the infamous Boston police strike which caused an uproar around the nation as they sought recognition for their trade union and asked for an improvement in wages. The police commissioner at the time denied that they had a right to form a union and so the officers went on strike. Several nights of lawlessness ensued the state guard restored order. The striking officers tried to return to work but were not rehired. This strike served as a lesson of the importance of law enforcement to the public peace and while officers may form unions currently many states do not allow public employees to have the right to strike.
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1920's- O.W. Wilson
Orlando Winfield Wilson was also an influential leader in policing having served in several high-ranking positions such as superintendent of police and chief of police in several departments. OW Wilson also authored several books on policing. As a reformer of police Mr. Wilson focused on the importance of police administration in getting rid of corruption and influencing departments to adopt methods in community policing.
1931- Wickersham Commission
The national commission on law observance and enforcement was appointed by Pres. Herbert Hoover in 1929. The commission was chaired by George W Wickersham and so the commission commonly became known as the Wickersham commission. This commission conducted the first national study of the administration of justice in the United States. The commission issued 14 reports one of which focused on the police. Crime had begun to emerge as the national problem in the late 1920s in part because of prohibition enforcement and it was hoped that this commission could scientifically study these national problems and develop suggestions how to deal with them.
1929-39 The Great Depression
Despite the efforts to reform policing and study policing the nation was also facing the deepest and long-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world starting with the 1929 stock market crash. During this period in history the country was trying to recover from the effects globally of World War I and it was drawn into the costs and consequences of World War II from roughly 1939 to 1945. Thus the nation had many problems to focus on other than concerns with local police and other law enforcement agencies.
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