Origins and Development of Law Enforcement

Flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture on the origins and development of law enforcement.

Lex Talionis

An early system of law based on retaliation, often summarized as 'an eye for an eye'.

Code of Hammurabi

An ancient Babylonian legal text from around 1700 BC that established a comprehensive legal framework governing commerce, family, and crime.

Tithing

A system in early England where a group of ten families was responsible for each other’s behavior and collective law enforcement.

Constable

An early police officer in England, who was responsible for maintaining the king’s peace.

Shire Reeve

An official governing a shire in England, later known as the sheriff.

Hue and Cry

A medieval English law enforcement procedure where citizens were called to assist the constables in catching a criminal.

Posse Comitatus

A Latin term meaning 'power of the county,' referring to citizens aiding sheriffs in law enforcement; also denotes the law restricting military involvement in domestic law enforcement.

Bobby

A colloquial term for police officers in the UK, named after Sir Robert Peel who established the Metropolitan Police.

Pendleton Act of 1883

Legislation intended to reform the spoils system of political patronage in federal civil service, ensuring merit-based hiring.

Wickersham Commission

A commission created by President Hoover in 1929 to study law enforcement issues and recommend reforms, especially regarding Prohibition.

Dark Figure of Crime

The term used to describe the amount of unreported crime, highlighting the gap between actual crime rates and those reported to authorities.

Professional Model of Policing

An approach to law enforcement characterized by the elimination of political influence, professional training, and a centralized authority structure.

Community Trust

The belief that police should foster cooperation and confidence among the communities they serve to enhance public safety.