policing

August Vollmer

Known as the 'father of modern policing.' Introduced professional standards, education, and scientific methods to policing.

SARA Model

Scanning: Identify problems. Analysis: Understand causes. Response: Implement solutions. Assessment: Evaluate effectiveness.

Proactive vs. Reactive Policing

Proactive: Preventing crime before it happens (patrols, community engagement). Reactive: Responding after crimes occur (911 calls, investigations).

Discretion in Policing

Officers’ ability to decide whether to arrest, warn, or ignore minor offenses.

Metropolitan Police Act of 1829

Established by Sir Robert Peel in London. Created the first modern police force.

Police Department Structure

Chief → Captain → Lieutenant → Sergeant → Officer. Roles: patrol, investigations, administration, special units.

Warrants

Legal documents authorizing police actions (arrest/search). Require probable cause.

Probable Cause Continuum

Evidence levels: reasonable suspicion < probable cause < beyond a reasonable doubt.

Due Process

State must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

4th Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Right to due process, protection against self-incrimination.

14th Amendment

Equal protection under the law, applies Bill of Rights to states.

Miranda Rights & Case

Rights during arrest (remain silent, attorney). Case: Miranda v. Arizona (1966).

Stop and Frisk & Case

Police can stop and pat down individuals with reasonable suspicion. Case: Terry v. Ohio (1968).

Slave Patrols

Early policing in the U.S. South to control enslaved people.

The 'Third Degree'

Use of physical or psychological coercion to obtain confessions (now illegal).

Minorities in Policing

Faced exclusion and challenges entering police forces, gradual integration.

Bohr System

Early Germanic system: groups responsible for each other's conduct.

Frankpledge

English system: families responsible for each other.

Parish Constable

Local law enforcement officer in medieval England.

Broken Windows Theory

Maintaining order by addressing small crimes prevents larger crimes.