Chapter 4: Police in Society

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to the history and development of policing in society, focusing on significant events, theories, and dynamics within law enforcement.

Brown v. Mississippi (1936)

The Supreme Court ruled that confessions obtained through physical torture or brutality are not admissible in court, violating the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Established that Miranda warnings are required when a suspect is in custody AND subject to interrogation.

Tennessee v. Garner (1985)

The Supreme Court ruled that deadly force may not be used "unless it is necessary to prevent the escape and the officer has probable cause to believe that the suspect poses a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others."

Terry v. Ohio (1968)

Established that officers may briefly detain (stop) a person and pat down their outer clothing (frisk) if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity and is armed and dangerous.

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Established the Exclusionary Rule, which prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial.

Katz v. United States (1967)

Defined the concept of privacy in search and seizure law by establishing that a search occurs when government conduct violates a person's subjective expectation of privacy that society is prepared to recognize as objectively reasonable.

Sir Robert Peel

Pivotal in creating a structured police force, he established the first organized police force in London in 1829, commonly referred to as 'Bobbies'.

August Vollmer

A notable police reformer recognized for advocating education and a professional code of conduct in law enforcement, serving as the town marshal of Berkeley, California, and promoting police professionalism.

Alice Stebbin Wells

Became the first woman with arresting powers in 1910 while working for the LAPD.

Georgia Robinson

The first Black female officer hired in 1916.

Thomas Lightfoot

Became the first Indian police officer in 1869.

Jim Beltran

Reported to be the first Asian officer, hired in 1958 in Seattle.

Michael Brown

His 2014 incident led to the 'Ferguson Effect,' highlighting public scrutiny over police actions and its correlation with rising crime rates.

Pledge System

A form of community self-policing, where every individual in a village was expected to aid their neighbors in protecting against thieves.

Shires

Communities grouped together, equivalent to modern-day counties, managed by Shire Reeves (sheriffs).

Shire Reeves

Managers of shires, corresponding to modern-day sheriffs, whose appointments by the crown made them vulnerable to local opposition for crimes against the crown.

Bobbies

A common nickname for officers of the first organized police force in London, established by Sir Robert Peel.

Fee System

A financial incentive system where colonial sheriffs were paid based on their actions, leading to potential corruption.

International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)

A professional organization formed in 1871 aimed at transitioning policing from a political to a civil service role.

Police Matrons

The traditional title for female officers, who focused on issues related to children and female victims.

Jurisdiction

An agency’s legal authority in a defined geographic area.

Patrol Officers

The backbone of police agencies, operating proactively for crime prevention or reactively responding to incidents.

Police Culture

A unique subculture characterized by solidarity and, at times, a 'code of silence' around issues of misconduct or corruption.

Community-Oriented Policing (COP)

A policing approach focusing on engaging community members actively to prevent crime, establishing proactive strategies.

Broken Windows Theory

The idea that disorder in neighborhoods leads to increased crime; often associated with zero-tolerance policies in COP.

Problem-Oriented Policing (POP)

An approach emphasizing identifying and analyzing specific crime issues to craft effective responses, aiming to tackle the root causes of crime.

SARA Model

An approach in POP encapsulating methodologies for addressing crime: Scan, Analyze, Respond, Assess.

Crime Triangle

Aligns with routine activities theory, demonstrating crime incidence through opportunity, target, and offender interaction.

Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP)

Utilizes data analysis for effective crime disruption and prevention strategies, emphasizing information sharing between departments.

Hot Spots

Concentrated crime areas requiring focused police efforts, potentially leading to crime displacement.

Private Policing

Agencies that provide security and police services for clients, with officers sworn to state or country oaths but paid by private organizations.

Procedural Justice

Stresses the need for citizen engagement in the policing process, ensuring officers maintain neutrality and treat the public with respect and dignity.

Racial Profiling

The practice of targeting individuals based on race, ethnicity, or national origin rather than observed behavior.

Excessive Force

Occurs when officers utilize more power than necessary in an encounter.

Continuum of Force

Encapsulates three interaction stages: contact, processing, and exit, underpinning how officers execute necessary levels of force in response to circumstances.

Deadly Force

Force that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury.

Ferguson Effect

The correlation between public scrutiny over police actions and rising crime rates, suggesting negative public perception leads to officer caution and reduced proactive policing.

Policing Discretion

The freedom of law enforcement officers in making decisions concerning investigations, apprehension, and other matters.

Arrest

Taking a person into custody to answer for a criminal charge, requiring probable cause.

Interrogations

Processes by which law enforcement officers question individuals suspected of committing a crime, aiming to elicit confessions or gather information.

Inherent Coercion

Psychological pressure that can lead to false confessions, even without physical force, due to the intimidating environment and nature of police questioning.

Miranda Triggers

Conditions under which Miranda warnings are required: when a suspect is in custody AND subject to interrogation.

Custody (Miranda context)

A person is deprived of freedom of movement to a degree associated with a formal arrest.

Interrogation (Miranda context)

Involves direct questioning or any statements or actions reasonably likely to elicit an incriminating response from the suspect.

Fourth Amendment

Protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures and requires warrants to be issued upon probable cause.

Search Warrant

A legal document issued by a judge, authorizing law enforcement to conduct a search of a person or place, or to seize evidence, based on probable cause.

Probable Cause

A reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a crime has been committed or that evidence of a crime exists in a specific location.

Searches Incident to Arrest

Allows police to search a lawfully arrested person and the area immediately surrounding them ('wingspan') without a warrant, justified for officer safety and prevention of evidence destruction.

Stop and Frisk

Officers may briefly detain (stop) a person and pat down their outer clothing (frisk) if they have reasonable suspicion that the person is involved in criminal activity and is armed and dangerous.

Consent Searches

A search conducted with the voluntary permission of the individual whose person or property is being searched, requiring no warrant or probable cause.

Plain View Doctrine

Allows officers to seize evidence without a warrant if it is in plain view, officers are lawfully positioned, and its incriminating character is immediately apparent.

Exclusionary Rule

Prohibits the use of illegally obtained evidence in a criminal trial, serving to deter police misconduct.

Fruit of the Poisonous Tree Doctrine

An extension of the exclusionary rule, stipulating that evidence derived from illegally obtained evidence is also inadmissible in court.

Reasonable Expectation of Privacy

The concept defining privacy in search and seizure law, where a search occurs when government conduct violates a person's subjective expectation of privacy that society recognizes as objectively reasonable.