Definitive Study Guide on Police Functions and Evolution in the U.S.

TRADITIONAL FUNCTIONS OF POLICE IN THE UNITED STATES

  • Three Primary Functions: The police in the United States perform three main functions:

    • Order Maintenance: Focuses on maintaining peace and civility in the community.

    • Involves managing disturbances such as loud music, noisy parties, barking dogs, etc.

    • Public Service: Encompasses a wide range of public assistance activities.

    • Includes dealing with issues like lost children, stray animals, abandoned cars, and similar community concerns.

    • Law Enforcement: Involves criminal justice activities.

    • Tasks include issuing traffic citations, writing crime reports, and making arrests for misdemeanors and felonies.

  • Nature of Police Activities:

    • Many police tasks are reactive; officers respond to calls after events have occurred.

    • The focus on order maintenance and public services takes a significant portion of police resources and time.

    • Officers often perceive their primary function as enforcement of the law, due in part to extensive training in law enforcement (over 80% of initial training).

  • Public Perception:

    • The portrayal of the police as crime fighters is reinforced by media and public expectations.

THE REALITY OF POLICE ROLES

  • Extent of Law Enforcement Duties:

    • Historical studies indicate that police spend less than 20% of their working hours on law enforcement tasks.

    • Recent studies suggest that most calls for police service relate to non-criminal issues such as traffic and social services.

  • Limitations of Police in Crime Prevention:

    • Not all factors contributing to crime are within police control.

    • David Bayley’s assertion (1994) that "the police do not prevent crime" challenges the common belief of police effectiveness.

    • Noteworthy constraints include socio-economic factors, community conditions, and decades of traditional reactions.

EVOLUTION OF POLICING IN THE U.S.

  • Philosophical Shifts in U.S. Policing:

    • The U.S. policing industry is seeking a new philosophy, referred to as the “next big thing" in police strategy (Crank, Kadleck, & Koski, 2010).

  • Challenges and Changes:

    • Critics argue U.S. law enforcement agencies are conservative, adapting mostly under duress or extreme circumstances.

  • Growth in Law Enforcement Organizations:

    • As of 2013, the U.S. housed approximately 18,000 law enforcement organizations including:

    • 12,326 municipal police departments

    • 3,012 sheriff’s offices

    • 50 state law enforcement agencies

    • About 2,000 other agencies (transportation, parks, schools, etc.).

  • Variation in Policing Strategies:

    • Significant differences exist in police presence and operational strategies across various U.S. regions.

    • Statistical insights:

    • It was noted that police officer deployments vary distinctly by region and population.

    • Northeastern and Southern regions tend to have a higher number of officers per capita compared to West Coast jurisdictions.

POLICE STRENGTH AND CRIME REDUCTION

  • Impact of Police Numbers:

    • Research indicates increased police presence can correlate with reduced crime, with estimates that officer increases contribute to 10-20% reductions in crime rates (Levitt, 2004).

    • Findings from studies such as Chalfin and McCrary (2013) suggest every dollar spent on police can return $1.60 in crime control benefits.

  • Influence of Deployment Strategies:

    • Some policing tactics demonstrate greater effectiveness than traditional reactive patrol methods.

STAGES OF POLICE DEVELOPMENT

  • Categorization of Policing Eras:

    • Development of American policing is generally categorized into three traditional eras and additional phases:

    • Political Era (1840s-1920s): Characterized by local political control and minimal training for officers; police corruption was prevalent.

    • Professional Era (1920–1970): Marked by reform efforts, establishment of training, and increased expectations of professionalism; greater focus on integrity but remained largely reactive.

    • Community Policing Era (1970-Present): Advocates for community relations and proactive engagement with citizens.

  • Political Era Details:

    • Police departments were created in conjunction with political machines.

    • Recruitment often involved political connections rather than qualifications; minimal training provided to recruits.

    • Corruption was common, hinting at a collusion between police and political entities.

  • Professional Era Details:

    • Pioneered by figures like Vollmer, Wilson, and Parker; focused on education and professionalism in policing.

    • Marked by the establishment of police academies and professional expectations.

COMMUNITY POLICING

  • Concept Origin:

    • Emerged from various initiatives that promoted officers to engage meaningfully with community members, focusing on team policing and targeted patrols.

    • Concept built upon proactive strategies to address community issues collaboratively with citizens.

  • Key Principles:

    • Emphasis on community partnerships and communication.

    • The community as an active participant in delivering crime solutions.

    • Includes principles such as problem-solving and the integration of community-oriented strategies in everyday policing.