exam 1 policing america

What percentage of 911 calls involve crime?

About 15%

What is the primary role of police officers?

Most of their work involves keeping order and peace, handling conflicts, traffic issues, and assisting with medical or personal problems.

How many law enforcement agencies are there in the U.S.?

There are about 18,000 law enforcement agencies.

What are the main types of law enforcement agencies in the U.S.?

Local police departments, sheriff's departments, state police agencies, special agencies, and federal agencies.

What is the role of local police departments?

They handle most serious crime and make up approximately 70% of law enforcement agencies.

What is the function of county sheriffs?

Elected officials who handle law enforcement, jails, and court duties.

What was the significance of London's Metropolitan Policing Act of 1829?

It created the first modern police force with a mission to prevent crime.

Who is known as the father of modern policing?

Sir Robert Peel.

What was the goal of the Progressive/Professional Era in policing (1900-1960)?

To remove politics from policing and establish it as a true profession focused on fair service and crime control.

What did August Vollmer contribute to policing?

He promoted education, training, and reform in police professionalism.

What is the SARA model in Problem-Oriented Policing (POP)?

Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment.

What did the RAND Study (1975) reveal about detective work?

Detectives do not solve most crimes; success relies more on information from patrol officers at the scene.

What was the outcome of the Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment?

Increasing patrols did not reduce crime or fear, challenging traditional views of policing.

What are the pros and cons of police bureaucracies?

Pros: Organized and professional. Cons: Can be rigid, slow, and disconnected from the public.

What is the difference between traditional policing and community-oriented policing?

Traditional policing is hierarchical and reactive, while community-oriented policing is decentralized and proactive.

What is racial profiling?

Stopping individuals based solely on race or ethnicity, leading to mistrust between police and minority groups.

What is the Broken Windows Theory?

Ignoring small disorders leads to serious crime; addressing minor issues can prevent larger problems.

What is COMPSTAT?

A data-driven system using crime maps and statistics to hold police managers accountable and target problem areas.

What did the Mapp v. Ohio (1961) ruling establish?

The exclusionary rule, which prohibits using evidence from illegal searches in court.

What are Miranda rights?

Rights that police must inform suspects of before questioning, established by Miranda v. Arizona (1966).

What did Tennessee v. Garner (1985) limit?

The use of deadly force by police, allowing it only when a fleeing suspect poses a serious threat.

What are hot spots in policing?

Small areas with a high concentration of crime, where focused resources are applied to reduce crime.

What are the unintended effects of mobile patrol?

Increased workload, less community contact, negative public image, and decreased effectiveness.

What is the role of federal agencies like the FBI and DEA?

To enforce federal laws and carry out specific missions.

What is the impact of police subculture?

It fosters shared values among officers, including loyalty and discouragement of reporting misconduct.

What challenges do police face in efficient policing?

Fragmentation from too many separate agencies, bureaucratic rigidity, and 911 overload.

How is police discretion controlled?

Through administrative rules (SOP manuals), supervisors, early intervention systems, and citizen review boards.

What is the Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy (CAPS)?

A community policing plan that brings officers and residents together to solve problems, leading to better cooperation and improved neighborhoods.

What are the three policing strategies mentioned?

SMART Policing, Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP), and COMPSTAT.

What does SMART Policing focus on?

Using research and data to guide policing strategies.

What is the goal of Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP)?

To gather information to target serious offenders.

What is COMPSTAT used for?

To track data, hold police leaders accountable, and improve results.

What is informal social control?

Control that happens through everyday interactions, like correcting or warning others for breaking social norms.

What is an example of informal social control?

Churches punishing or expelling members for immoral behavior.

What is formal social control?

Control that comes from organized, official systems like the police and courts.

What historical event marked the development of formal social control?

The creation of the London Metropolitan Police in 1829.

What is the difference between reactive and proactive policing?

Reactive policing responds to crimes after they occur, while proactive policing takes action to prevent crimes before they happen.

What is the focus of proactive policing?

Prevention and reducing future problems.

What does the SARA model stand for?

Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment.

What is the purpose of the SARA model?

To help police identify and fix recurring problems like drug dealing.

Why is collective efficacy important in policing?

It enables communities to work together to control crime and disorder, requiring citizen cooperation.

What role do citizens play in crime control?

They report crimes, provide information, serve as witnesses, and identify local problems.

What is the Professional Model of Policing?

A policing model that stressed hierarchy, rapid response, and rule enforcement but isolated police from communities.

What is a tailor-made response in policing?

Creating custom solutions for unique problems through collaboration with the community.

What was Operation Ceasefire?

A focused deterrence strategy in the 1990s targeting youth gun violence, which cut youth homicides by 70%.

What is the significance of analyzing problems before responding?

It prevents wasted effort and ensures police target root causes rather than symptoms.

What alternatives to arrest are mentioned?

Social service referrals, civil actions, or partnerships.

What is the focus of hot spots policing?

Preventing crimes by addressing problem areas rather than focusing solely on offenders.

What is the main goal of Problem-Oriented Policing (POP)?

To fix root causes of problems rather than just making arrests.

How can police lower crime without the justice system?

By partnering with code enforcement, landlords, and community groups to address underlying issues.

What does the term 'law enforcement' imply about police work?

It is misleading, as most police work involves maintaining order and providing services, not just enforcing laws.