History of policing

History of Policing in the U.S.

Origins of Policing

Policing in the U.S. has its roots in England, where early law enforcement structures were established. In the 18th century, Sir John Fielding and Judge Henry Fielding, who were Bow Street Magistrates, began the practice of compensating individuals to serve as constables and patrol the streets at night, thereby laying the foundation for organized policing.

Early Policing in the U.S.

The policing model from London greatly influenced American law enforcement, leading to the creation of police departments across the nation. The first police department in the U.S. was founded in New York City in 1844, catalyzing the movement toward organized law enforcement in urban settings. Subsequently, other cities quickly established their own police departments:

  • New Orleans and Cincinnati in 1852

  • Boston or Philadelphia in 1854

  • Chicago and Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1855

  • Baltimore, MD and Newark, NJ in 1857During this early period, the primary responsibilities of American police were to prevent crime and maintain public safety while providing various services to the community.

Rural vs. Urban Policing

Rural Policing (Counties): Rural communities, typically located outside city limits, often lacked the resources and formal structure that urban policing had. Sheriffs were essential in enforcing laws in these rural areas.

Urban Policing (Cities): Urban areas, characterized by high population density in smaller geographic spaces, required different policing strategies to address the complexity and elevated crime rates.

Sheriffs in the USA

The sheriff is recognized as the highest law enforcement official in a county, typically overseeing law enforcement services in rural areas and holding a significant role within the local judicial system.

Federal Law Enforcement

The Secret Service was established in 1865 to combat counterfeiting. Initially focused on financial crimes, its responsibilities expanded in the 1890s to include the protection of the President of the United States, which became a permanent duty by 1900. This marked a notable evolution in the scope of federal law enforcement duties.

FBI

  • Established in 1908

  • Joseph Bonaparte served under President Theodore Roosevelt and was instrumental in founding the FBI.

  • Focused on crimes committed on government property or by government officials.

Department of Treasury

In 1920, the Department of Treasury created the first significant federal police agency, charged with enforcing Prohibition. By its peak, this agency, known as the "Timem," expanded to a force of approximately 4,000 officers during the campaign against alcohol.

State Police Agencies

  • Pennsylvania State Police (1905)

  • New York State Police (1917)

  • Colorado, Michigan, and West Virginia (1919)

  • Massachusetts (1920)

  • Kentucky State Police (1948, 38th state to establish state police)

  • Kentucky Highway Patrol established in 1935, became RSPThe primary purpose of state police in Pennsylvania and other states was to circumvent corrupt local policing, investigate antitrust cases, various types of fraud, and address inefficient local law enforcement.

The Eras of Policing

  • **Political Era (1840-1930)

  • Reform Era (1930-1970)

  • Community Era (1970-Present)**

The Creation of Modern Policing

Sir Robert Peel is recognized as the father of modern policing; he established the first modern police agency, the London Metropolitan Police, on September 29, 1829.

Sir Robert Peel's Nine Principles of Policing

  1. To prevent crime and disorder.

  2. To recognize that the power of the police to fulfill their functions is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions, and behavior.

  3. To secure and maintain respect and approval from the public, which means securing the willing cooperation of the public in observing laws.

  4. The extent to which public cooperation can be secured decreases the necessity of using physical force to fulfill police objectives.

  5. To seek and preserve public favor.

  6. To use physical force only when persuasion, advice, and warnings are insufficient to obtain public cooperation.

  7. To maintain a good relationship with the public.

  8. To adhere strictly to police executive functions and avoid appearing to exercise arbitrary powers.

  9. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.

Legitimacy Principles

  1. Prevent crime, not just catch criminals; stop it before it happens.

  2. Earn public support.

  3. Respect community principles.

Styles of Policing

  • Watchmen: Significant use of police discretion with more focus on crime control than prevention; police are distanced from the communities they serve.

  • Legalistic: Law enforcement is the only priority; social issues are not concerns; focus is on the "letter of the law."

  • Service: Police view themselves as helpers to the community in the fight against crime, utilizing legal solutions while recognizing they are not the only options available, often linked to the community problem-solving era.