CRLS 2300 Exam 1 - Policing Origins & Eras Flashcards

This set of 65 vocabulary flashcards covers key concepts, definitions, statistics, and historical information related to policing origins, eras, challenges, and training, based on the provided lecture notes for CRLS 2300 Exam 1.

Colonial North Policing

Relied on volunteer and paid individuals like watchmen, constables, and sheriffs to maintain public order.

Colonial South Policing

Developed primarily as slave patrols to control and repress enslaved populations, rather than general law enforcement.

Political Era (1830s–1900s)

A policing era characterized by corruption and strong political influence.

Professional Era (1900s–1970s)

A policing era focused on centralization, crime control, and removing political influence.

Community-Oriented Era (1970s–present)

A current policing era emphasizing partnerships with communities and building legitimacy.

Meares & Tyler (2020) Central Question

Reform requires understanding the fundamental purpose of police, not just how they behave.

Coercive Force

Police authority to use or threaten physical force, unique among government agencies.

Discretion in Policing

The ability of officers to decide how to respond in a situation, such as arresting, warning, or ignoring.

Procedural Justice

Citizens' perception of legitimacy derived from being treated with fairness, respect, and given a voice during encounters.

Chain of Command

The hierarchy in police organizations, modeling a military structure, also known as hierarchy of authority.

Public Opinion on Police Encounters

Negative encounters significantly outweigh positive or neutral ones in shaping public views of the police.

Favorable Views of Police

Typically held by older, white, wealthier, and conservative individuals.

Unfavorable Views of Police

Typically held by younger, Black/Latino, and liberal individuals.

Gallup (2025) Black Confidence in Police

Confidence rose to 64% but remains below whites (77%), with younger Black adults showing the most skepticism.

Minimum Police Qualifications

Typically age 21+, valid driver’s license, U.S. citizenship, no felony convictions, and a high school diploma.

Common Police Selection Tests

Includes a written exam, oral interview, background check, and medical/physical exam.

Smith (2022) Recruitment Challenge

Falling applications prompt departments to lure recruits with pay raises, bonuses, and increased attention.

Seattle Recruitment Strategy (Governing, 2025)

Offering a $7,500 signing bonus for recruits and $50,000 for transfers, alongside higher base pay.

Women in U.S. Policing (2021 Data)

Constituted 13.7% of sworn officers, an increase from 1.4% in 1971.

Barriers for Women in Policing

Non-targeted recruitment, physical fitness tests, male-dominated culture, and issues with retention and promotion.

People of Color in U.S. Policing

About 30% of officers nationally, compared to 38% of the total U.S. population.

Predictor of Minority Representation in Departments

The racial makeup of the city population.

Female CJ Students' Perception of Policing Careers

Less interested, lower expectations for success and fulfillment, and a belief that women receive less respect and opportunity.

Stages of Police Training

Comprise academy training, field training, and in-service training.

Average Academy Training Duration

Approximately 833 hours, typically around 5 months.

Top Academy Subjects by Hours

Firearms (73 hrs), defensive tactics (61 hrs), and patrol (52 hrs).

Stress-Based Academy

A training environment characterized by military-style drills and discipline.

Nonstress Academy

A training environment characterized by an academic and supportive learning atmosphere without military-style drills.

Field Training

A 12–16 week probationary period where new officers work with a Field Training Officer (FTO) through 4 phases of increasing responsibility.

In-Service Training

Annual ongoing training (approx. 40 hrs) covering topics like use of force, legal updates, firearms recertification, and cultural competence.

Khazan (2021) U.S. Training Concern

U.S. police training is shorter and less standardized compared to European models featuring multi-year police universities.

Police Staffing Shortages

Approximately 10% workforce shortages nationwide, with some cities like Minneapolis facing 20% vacancies.

Double Pressure on Police Staffing

Few young recruits entering the force while large numbers of older officers retire or transfer to smaller departments.

Co-responder Programs

Initiatives pairing social workers or mental health specialists with police officers on nonviolent calls.

Mapping Police Violence Trend (since 2019)

Documentation of record-high police shootings each year, with persistent racial disparities.

Importance of Police Diversity

Brings new perspectives, helps departments reflect community demographics, and builds trust.

Recruitment-Selection-Training Relationship

Strong recruitment leads to a better candidate pool, which enables more effective training and results in higher performance.

Officer's Action for Legitimacy

Treating individuals with fairness, dignity, and respect, aligning with procedural justice principles.

Seniority (Policing)

A system where officers with more years of service gain advantages in assignments, promotions, and job security.

Pinball Policing

A term describing unstructured, reactive patrol styles where officers move from one call to another without proactive engagement.

Curbside Justice

Informal resolution of disputes by police without formal arrest or court involvement.

Recruitment (Definition)

The systematic process of attracting a pool of qualified applicants to become police officers.

Selection (Definition)

The systematic process of choosing the best candidates from the pool of recruited applicants.

Hierarchy of Authority

The formal line of authority from the chief down through various ranks within a police organization.

Overpolicing

Excessive enforcement of laws or surveillance directed at specific groups or communities.

Underpolicing

Failure to provide adequate law enforcement services to communities, often contributing to unmet safety and justice needs.

Specialization (Policing)

The assignment of officers to specific tasks or units, such as narcotics enforcement or homicide investigations.

Attitudes Toward Police Formation

Shaped by personal experiences, vicarious experiences (stories from others), and media portrayals.

Importance of Trust and Confidence in Police

Essential for increasing compliance with laws, fostering cooperation, and encouraging willingness to report crime.

Political Era Policing Characteristics

Corruption, political patronage, and often a lack of professional standards.

Professional Era Policing Characteristics

Emphasis on efficiency, centralized control, technological advancement, and a focus on crime fighting.

Community Era Policing Characteristics

Focus on community partnerships, building legitimacy, decentralization, and problem-solving.

Bona Fide Occupational Qualifications (BFOQs)

Job-related requirements, such as physical fitness or vision standards, that are necessary to perform essential duties.

Why Departments Struggle with Recruitment

Factors include a negative public image, competition for talent, lower pay in some areas, intense scrutiny, and lengthy hiring processes.

Strategies to Attract Recruits

Offering higher pay, signing bonuses, lateral entry options, relaxing some standards, and targeted outreach to women and minorities.

Minority Police Officer Representation

Approximately 30% of officers nationally, which is lower than their 38% proportion of the U.S. population.

Factors for Underrepresentation (Females/Minorities)

Fewer individuals applying, failure to pass selection hurdles, and retention issues stemming from organizational culture.

Academy Training (Police)

The initial, intensive training phase for new officers, averaging about 5 months, covering legal, tactical, and procedural subjects.

Field Training Officer (FTO)

An experienced officer who mentors and evaluates probationary officers during their practical, on-the-job training phase.

Police University (European Model)

A longer, more standardized police training model (3-4 years) prevalent in many European countries, contrasting with the U.S. system.

Reasons Younger People Avoid Policing

Preference for remote/flexible work, better pay in other sectors, and the negative public image often associated with policing.

Racial Disparities in Police Shootings

A persistent issue highlighted by Mapping Police Violence, indicating disproportionate impact on minority groups in fatal encounters.

'Defund' Movement Impact (Governing 2025)

The 'defund the police' movement lost political support, leading to increased police funding, but departments still struggle with hiring.

Constables and Watchmen (Colonial North)

Key figures in early policing in the Northern U.S., responsible for maintaining peace and performing night patrols.

Slave Patrols (Colonial South)

Early forms of policing in the Southern U.S., primarily focused on controlling and maintaining the institution of slavery.