U.S. Policing History: From Colonial Patrols to Community Policing

What influenced the development of policing in America?

British policing practices, policies, and structural components.

What was the early policing system in England before formal police forces?

Policing responsibilities fell to social units, such as volunteers.

What was the role of the parish constable?

An unarmed, unpaid, part-time policing agent in smaller towns.

Who were the shire reeves?

Appointed law enforcement officials by the crown or local landowners.

What was the function of watchmen in larger cities?

To patrol at night and protect property from robberies and fires.

What were thief takers?

Men hired by victims to capture offenders, paid a bounty for successful captures.

What did the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 establish?

London's metropolitan police force, marking the beginning of modern public policing.

What are the Peelian principles?

Philosophy of an ethical police force emphasizing public approval, cooperation, and impartiality.

How did policing in Colonial America resemble that of England?

Each colony funded its own police forces with minimal and local policing.

What were the responsibilities of colonial sheriffs?

Capturing criminals, serving subpoenas, supervising elections, and collecting taxes.

What role did vigilantes play in early policing?

Self-appointed distributors of justice without legal authority, often due to lack of funded law enforcement.

What was the purpose of slave patrols in the South?

To regulate slaves and hunt down/punish escaped slaves.

What was the Fugitive Slave Law?

A law addressing fears of a 'slave power conspiracy' that created the need for slave patrols.

What were some reasons for the ineffectiveness of early policing in America?

Policing was reactive, law enforcement was selective, and citizens had no respect for police.

Who is considered the father of American policing?

August Vollmer.

What reforms did August Vollmer advocate for in policing?

Education, training, and ethical standards for police officers.

What was the 'third degree' in policing?

A brutal method used by police to gather information through coercion.

What technological advancements improved policing in the 20th century?

Automobiles for faster response, telephones for communication, and scientific methods for identification.

What was the impact of the 1967 national study on crime and policing?

Called for increased educational requirements for officers and modernized recruitment.

What did the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 establish?

Agencies for law enforcement assistance and regulations on confessions and wiretaps.

What was the focus of community policing in the 1970s and 1980s?

Improving police-community relationships and addressing underlying social issues.

What was the 'war on drugs' in the 1980s?

A crime control model focusing on harsher sentencing and aggressive drug enforcement.

What is the broken windows theory?

The idea that addressing minor offenses can prevent more serious crimes.

What shift occurred in policing after 9/11?

A focus on counterterrorism and national security, increasing police power and presence.

What challenges does diversity in policing present?

Historical underrepresentation of minorities and women in police forces.

Who was Lucy Grell?

One of the first female police officers in the 1880s in Los Angeles.

What percentage of police officers were African American as of 2020?

11.6% at the local level.

What percentage of police officers were Hispanic as of 2020?

14.2% at the local level.

What issues did early police departments face despite moves toward professionalism?

Corruption, warrantless arrests, and loyalty to politicians.