Law Enforcement Professionalism and the Establishment of a Criminal Justice System

A comprehensive set of flashcards for key terms related to law enforcement professionalism and the criminal justice system.

Al Capone

Notorious gangster during the Prohibition era, known for his involvement in organized crime.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court case that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

Due Process Revolution

Period marked by Supreme Court rulings that expanded the rights of defendants in criminal cases.

Warren Court

Refers to the Supreme Court under Chief Justice Earl Warren, known for landmark civil rights rulings.

J. Edgar Hoover

First Director of the FBI, known for transforming it into a modern crime-fighting agency.

DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, used for forensic identification and establishing connections to suspects.

Televised Trials

Criminal trials broadcast on television, influencing public perception and legal proceedings.

Rodney King

Victim of police brutality in Los Angeles; his beating led to widespread riots and discussions about race relations.

O.J. Simpson

Former NFL player whose highly publicized trial for murder raised issues about race and celebrity in America.

Miranda v. Arizona

1966 Supreme Court case that established the requirement for police to inform suspects of their rights.

Alphonse Bertillon

Pioneered the use of anthropometry in criminal identification before fingerprinting became standard.

Earl Warren

Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1953 to 1969, known for advancing civil liberties.

Paddy wagon

A vehicle used by police to transport prisoners.

The Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic depression that had significant effects on crime and law enforcement.

Civil rights movement

Social movement in the 1960s aimed at ending racial discrimination and promoting equal rights.

F. Lee Bailey

Famous defense attorney known for his work on high-profile cases, including the O.J. Simpson trial.

Progressive Era

Period from the 1890s to the 1920s marked by social reform, including reforms in law enforcement.

International Association of Chiefs of Police

An organization formed to support police leadership and professional development.

Chicago Eight

Defendants charged with conspiracy and inciting riots during the 1968 Democratic National Convention.

Boston Police Strike

A 1919 strike that highlighted tensions between police unions and public safety.

Televised trials

Court proceedings broadcast on television, influencing public perceptions and judicial processes.

Civilian review board

A body established to oversee police conduct and investigate complaints against officers.

DNA evidence

Genetic material used in forensic science to link suspects to crimes.

Golden rule policy

A Cleveland police chief's initiative to divert minor offenses away from the courts.

Sunrise court

A court system established to handle juvenile offenders at times convenient for working individuals.

Europol

The European Union's law enforcement agency that assists in combating transnational crime.

Great Depression

An economic downturn that affected crime rates and police operations in the U.S.

Societal norms

The rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members.

Due process

Legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights owed to a person.

Teapot Dome Scandal

A major political scandal during the early 1920s involving the leasing of federal oil reserves.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

The principal federal investigative agency and domestic intelligence service in the U.S.

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA)

Established to provide federal assistance to state and local law enforcement.

Community policing

A strategy focused on building relationships between police and community members.

CompStat

A management tool used by police departments to track crime statistics and hold commanders accountable.

Social service responsibilities

Police functions that include community assistance beyond enforcing the law.

Police subculture

The values, norms, and behaviors that define the culture within police departments.

Scientific criminal investigation

Application of scientific techniques, including forensics, to crime investigation.

Ballistics

The study of the dynamics of projectiles, used in criminal investigations to analyze gun crime.

Civil rights

Laws that protect individuals from discrimination and ensure equal treatment under the law.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units.

Civilian oversight

A system of governance where external entities supervise police conduct to ensure accountability.

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

A professional organization for police executives to promote leadership in law enforcement.

Due process revolution

A significant period characterized by expanded due process rights for criminal defendants.

Federalism

The distribution of power in an organization (such as a government) between a central authority and the constituent units.

Social service responsibilities

Functions performed by police to address community needs beyond traditional law enforcement.

Thematic Uniqueness

The concept that the evolution of policing in various countries is shaped by unique social and economic factors.

Community Oriented Policing

A strategy that promotes organizational strategies to include community input in policing.

Criminal justice system

The set of legal and social institutions for enforcing criminal law and administering justice.

Military-style police tactics

Use of tactics and equipment typically associated with military forces in domestic police operations.

Progressive reforms

Initiatives taken to improve policing and criminal justice, emphasizing accountability and professionalism.

Exclusionary rule

Legal principle that prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in criminal trials.