CRJU 302 Policing 1 (chap 1)

Chapter 1: History from English Origins to the United States

The Old English System of Policing

  • Influence on American Policing

    • The American Criminal Justice System traces back to English traditions.

    • Before formal police forces, citizens enforced laws in their communities.

  • Frankpledge System (1066)

    • Developed in England, males over 12 formed groups called "tithings" with about 9 neighbors.

    • These groups engaged in basic law enforcement duties.

    • Tithings were sworn to help their neighbors and deliver justice.

    • Groups combined into “shires,” similar to today’s counties.

English and Colonial Officers of the Law

  • Sheriff

    • Derived from “shire reeve”: "shire" = county, "reeve" = agent of the king.

    • Originated in mid-1000s England, appointed by the king to maintain order.

    • Some sheriffs abused their power.

    • First sheriffs in America during the colonial period, appointed by the governor, with limited terms.

    • Posse Comitatus: deputizing citizens to assist.

    • Modern sheriffs continue to maintain rural crime control.

  • Constable

    • Originated in Anglo-Saxon England (mid-1200s).

    • First police official responsible for more than local protection.

    • Duties included pursuing felons, tax collection, supervising highways, and serving as magistrate.

    • Declined in prominence due to low pay and limited power.

    • Responsible for night watch until the early 1900s but generally undertrained.

  • Coroner

    • Established in late 12th century, initially unpaid and for life.

    • Oversaw interests of the Crown in criminal and financial matters.

    • By 1933, recognized in 2/3 of U.S. states, serving the function of inquest into suspicious deaths.

    • Debate over qualifications for office-holding.

  • Justice of the Peace

    • Evolved from late 1100s in England as sheriffs and constables lost favor.

    • Duties: granting bail, issuing warrants; qualification often required wealth.

    • Elected in colonies, granted jurisdiction in civil and criminal cases.

    • Complaints over collusion with police (ex: shared fines).

Policing in Colonial America

  • Crime was low during the 17th and 18th centuries as settlers focused on farming.

  • Major crime waves included the Quaker Challenge to Puritan values and the Salem Witch Trials.

  • Sheriffs and constables were appointed after settlement but law enforcement was not prioritized.

Policing During the Industrial Revolution (1760-1820s)

  • Urbanization and industrialization led to food scarcity and crime.

  • Local law enforcement struggled to manage society’s expansion.

  • Called for a formal system to maintain order and prevent crime.

Police Reform in England & America (1829-1860)

  • Sir Robert Peel established a police force in England in 1822, initially met with skepticism.

  • Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 emphasized crime prevention over detection.

  • The police (nicknamed "bobbies") divided London into divisions and adopted Peel's principles.

  • Peel is regarded as the Father of Modern Policing.

Peel’s Principles of Policing

  1. Mission: prevent crime and disorder.

  2. Police effectiveness depends on public approval.

  3. Cooperation from the public is crucial.

  4. Use of force must be minimized; cooperation decreases with force use.

  5. Police must be impartial.

  6. Force used only when necessary to restore order.

  7. Relationship maintenance with the community is essential.

  8. Police should stick to their function without judicial overreach.

  9. Police efficiency measured by the absence of crime, not constant visible action.

Policing Comes to the United States

  • Influence of Peel’s Reforms

    • American leaders viewed Peel’s patrol model favorably in the early 1840s.

    • Three Major Eras of American Policing:

      1. Political Era (1840s to 1930s)

      2. Reform Era (1930s to 1980s)

      3. Community Era (1980s to present).

  • First Formal Police Force in NYC (1844)

    • Paid, full-time officers with citywide jurisdiction.

    • Adopted many of Peel’s concepts.

    • Spread to other cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Chicago by 1880.

  • Southern Slave Patrols

    • Likely first American law enforcement groups, formed around 1670.

    • Paid officials with authority to capture runaway slaves; became law enforcement post-1865.

The Political Era (1840 to 1930)

  • Focused on many aspects of Peel’s model like uniforms and discretion.

  • Heightened political patronage despite merit-based hiring systems.

  • Theodore Roosevelt led early reform efforts.

The American Frontier

  • Law enforcement challenges existed:

    1. Private citizen posses.

    2. U.S. Marshals enforcing federal laws.

    3. Businessmen offered rewards for outlaws.

    4. Town police as areas developed.

    • Outlaw legends emerged; gunfights were rare.

The Reform Era (1930 to 1980)

  • Sought to remove politics from policing with civil service systems.

  • Emphasized a scientific understanding of administration and control hierarchy.

    • Created specialized units (vice, juvenile, etc.) and restricted officer discretion.

  • August Vollmer

    • Advocated for professionalism in policing and established police training standards.

    • Key figure in development of police administration at the University of Chicago.

    • Encouraged female officers and crime prevention efforts.

  • Crime Fighter Image

    • O.W. Wilson promoted the efficiency-focused "crime fighter" image in the 1930s, minimizing community relations.

The Struggle for Civil Rights (1960s-1970s)

  • Period marked by social upheaval and police resistance to scrutiny.

  • Significant events (Vietnam War and assassinations) highlighted police actions in protests.

The Community Era (1980 to Present)

  • Shift towards problem-oriented policing with community collaboration.

  • Increased focus on prevention and foot patrol for visibility.

Generations of COPPS

  • Contributing factors to the Community Era:

    1. Cultural diversity in America.

    2. Public concerns for civil rights.

    3. Failures of crime fighting.

    4. Need for community input on police policies.

    5. Advancements in technology.

Review of the Three Eras of Policing

  • Political Era (1840s-1930s)

    • Emphasis on broad social services and community relations.

    • Relationships with the community were intimate.

  • Reform Era (1930s-1980s)

    • Focused on law and professional standards with a more distinct separation from the community.

  • Community Era (1980 to Present)

    • Returning to community support and citizen satisfaction.

A New Era of American Policing?

  • Current changing perceptions of law enforcement echoing past eras.

  • Public scrutiny heightened by new media (cell phones, body cameras).

  • Ongoing protests and demands for reformed policing methods.

Summary

  • Policing has evolved from English origins to adapt to American needs.

  • Influenced by historical controversies which continue to affect recruitment and training.