Law Enforcement Midterm

Sir Robert Peel

Father and founder of modern policing, Peel’s nine principles

J. Edgar Hoover

John Edgar Hoover – FBI leader, developed NCIC (National Crime Information Center), FBI’s 10 Most Wanted List  

Police Power of Government

Civil power of government

State Police Agencies

• 49 states have primary enforcement agencies (except Hawaii) 

• Patrol small towns and state highways  

Interpol

• Worldwide organization  

• Established for cooperation among nations  

National Police Force

Does not exist

Four Major Cabinet Departments

Department of Justice, Department of Treasury, Department of Homeland of Security, Department of the Interior

Beat

a specific area that a police officer is assigned to patrol

Span of Control

a supervisor is responsible for 6-10 officers

Police Department Hierarchy Order

• Police Officer  

• Corporal or Master Patrol Officer  

• Detective/Investigator  

• Sergeant  

• Lieutenant 

• Captain

Lateral Transfer

when a sworn police officer moves from one police department to another

Education Requirement for Police

High school diploma or GED

Field training

• On-the-job training for academy graduates 

• Field training officers (FTOs)

In-service training

Things officers must update every year

Recruit training

• The Police Academy 

• Recruit training is formal job training  

• Teaches state laws and socialization 

Police Primary Goals

• Maintaining order 

• Protecting life and property

Discretion

• The availability of choice of options or actions  

• Involves making a judgement and a decision 

James Q Wilson

Watchman style, legalistic style, service style 

Police cynicism

cynicism (no hope for the world) 

Dirty Harry Problem

• Officers may violate someone’s rights in the process of doing something to save someone else  

• Not done for personal gain  

Suicide by Cop

A person wishing to die, causes officer to use deadly force

Double Marginality

the feeling of alienation that Black police officers experience from both the Black community and the white-dominated police force

Title VII of Civil Rights Act

prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin

Meat eaters vs grass eaters

• Grass-eaters: more passive, accept what is offered 

• Meat-eaters: more aggressive, seek things out