Ch.2_The_History_of_Police__1___1_

Chapter 2: The History of American Police

Historical Overview

• The evolution of American policing revolves around distinct eras:

  • Political Era (1830-1900)

  • Professional Era (1900-1960)

  • Era of New Development (1960-Present)

  • Intelligence-led Era (1960-2014)

  • Post-National Police Crisis Era (2014-Present)

Why Study Police History

• Understanding police history is essential for:

  • Highlighting the nature of change in policing.

  • Providing perspective on current policing problems.

  • Learning about successes and failures in reform initiatives.

  • Recognizing unintended consequences of reforms.

English Heritage

• American policing influenced by:

  • Tradition of Limited Authority

    • Emphasis on privacy and civil rights, rooted in the Bill of Rights.

  • Local Control

    • Local governments are responsible for organizing and funding their police forces.

  • Fragmented Structure

    • Over 17,000 local law enforcement agencies lead to disparities in training, resources, and effectiveness.

The Political Era (1830-1900)

Features

• Close ties between police and local politicians:

  • Employment based on political connections.

  • Police positions as a form of patronage.

  • Lack of job security.

• Low standards for personnel:

  • No formal education or training required.

Problems

• Corruption and Bribery

  • Extensive acceptance of protection payments from local businesses.

  • Police ignoring laws on gambling and prostitution for payoffs.

• Incompetence

  • Ineffective patrol work due to limited resources and mobility.

• Hostile Public Relations

  • Public distrust and ridicule of police due to corruption.

  • Conflicts with various community groups, including minorities.

The Myth of a “Golden Age”

• Previous assumptions depict a mixed relationship between police and communities:

  • Intimacy in some communities vs. conflicts overall.

  • Records show a more common trend of conflict rather than a widespread amicable relationship.

The Professional Era (1900-1960)

Features

• Transition of police to a recognized profession:

  • Introduction of personnel standards, uniforms, and formal training.

  • Reduction of political influence and establishment of specialized units.

  • Hiring inclusivity for women and minorities, highlighted by Alice Stebbins Wells.

Technology Impact

• Technological Advances

  • Introduction of patrol cars, two-way radios, and telephones enhance communication and efficiency.

Problems

• Strain on police-community relations:

  • Quasi-military structure fostering alienation.

  • Civil rights issues and protests exacerbate tensions.

Police Crisis of the 1960s

• Civil rights movements and student protests highlight systemic issues:

  • Landmark Supreme Court cases (Miranda v. Arizona, Mapp v. Ohio) increase accountability.

  • Increasingly hostile relations between police and minority communities, particularly during riots.

The Intelligence-led Era (1960-2014)

Features

• Development of preventive policing strategies:

  • Kansas City Preventive Patrol Experiment assesses patrolling efficacy.

• Rise of new policing strategies like Community Policing and COMPSTAT programming promotes accountability.

Broken Window Theory The Broken Window Theory, proposed by James Wilson and George Kelling, suggests that visible signs of disorder and neglect in urban environments (like broken windows, graffiti, and litter) contribute to an increase in crime. The theory posits that addressing these minor offenses can help prevent larger crimes from occurring. The rationale is that when minor issues are left unaddressed, it signals to others that the community is indifferent to disorder, leading to a decline in social order and an increase in criminal activity.

• Wilson and Kelling's theory posits that:

  • Urban disorder leads to crimes; addressing minor offenses prevents larger issues.

National Police Crisis (2014-2016)

• High-profile incidents amplify scrutiny of police conduct:

  • Events such as the shootings of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and George Floyd illustrate systemic issues leading to national protests.

Post-National Police Crisis Era (2014-Present)

• Revival of community policing initiatives focuses on partnership with communities:

  • Encourages citizen involvement in crime reporting and information sharing.

• Procedural justice policing emphasizes respectful treatment to improve public trust and legitimacy of police.