Chapter 4 and 5 study guide
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE POLICE
Early Policing in England
•Bobbies: The first organized police force, established by Sir Robert Peel in 1829 in London. Focused on crime prevention.
•Hue and Cry: A community-based alert system requiring citizens to assist in apprehending criminals.
Early Policing in the United State
•Night’s Watch (Boston): An early form of community policing, where volunteers patrolled at night to deter crime.
The Introduction of Police Professionalism
•Pendleton Civil Service Act: Established merit-based hiring for government positions, reducing corruption in police hiring.
•Wickersham Commission Report: 1931 report highlighting police misconduct and the need for professionalization.
The End of the 20th Century to Today: Crime Control, Communities, and Homeland Security
•Role Expansion: Increased responsibilities in crime control, community relations, and homeland security.
•Racial and Ethnic Profiling Issues: Ongoing concerns about discriminatory practices in policing.
•Immigration Enforcement: Greater involvement of police in enforcing immigration laws.
LEVELS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Federal Level
•FBI: Investigates federal crimes and national security threats.
•Secret Service: Protects national leaders and combats counterfeiting.
•White Collar Crime: Focused on financial crimes like fraud and embezzlement.
•ATF: Regulates firearms, explosives, alcohol, and tobacco.
•CBT: Oversees customs and border protection.
•DEA: Focuses on drug trafficking and enforcement.
•ICE: Handles immigration enforcement and deportation.
•U.S. Marshals Service: Manages federal prisoners and fugitive operations.
•Department of Justice: Oversees law enforcement and legal affairs.
•Department of the Treasury: Manages financial crimes and economic security.
•Department of Homeland Security: Coordinates responses to terrorism and disasters.
State Level
•State Level: State police enforce state laws and support local agencies.
•Local Level (Sheriff’s Offices): Handle county law enforcement and jails.
Requirements to Become a Police Officer
•Physical fitness, educational qualifications, background checks, and academy training.
STRATEGIES IN POLICING
•Wilson’s Three Styles of Policing:
•Watchman: Focus on maintaining order.
•Legalistic: Strict enforcement of laws.
•Service: Emphasis on community assistance.
•Community Policing: Builds trust and collaboration between police and communities.
•Problem-Oriented Policing: Identifies and addresses root causes of crime.
•Zero-Tolerance Policing: Focus on strict enforcement, often criticized for targeting minor offenses.
•Broken-Windows Perspective: Addresses small signs of disorder to prevent larger crimes.
•Stop & Frisk: Controversial tactic of stopping and searching individuals for weapons or contraband.
WHAT WE EXPECT OF THE POLICE
•Procedural Law: Rules on how laws are enforced.
•Substantive Law: Defines criminal acts and penalties.
HOW THE POLICE ARE ORGANIZED
Hierarchical Chain of Command: Clear structure for decision-making.
Differences from Military:
1.Discretion: Freedom to make decisions.
2.Visibility: High public interaction.
3.Authority: Direct impact on civilians.
WHAT THE POLICE DO & PURPOSE
•Patrol: Visible presence to deter crime.
•Investigation: Solving crimes and gathering evidence.
•Traffic Enforcement: Ensuring road safety.
•Peacemaking and Order Maintenance: Managing conflicts and maintaining order.
THE RULES THE POLICE FOLLOW
•Police Discretion: Decision-making power in law enforcement.
•The Fourth Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.
•Search:
•Trespass Doctrine: Searches based on physical intrusion.
•Privacy Doctrine: Protects individuals’ expectations of privacy.
•Plain View Searches: Legal if evidence is visible during lawful presence.
•Special-Needs Searches: Exceptions for public safety (e.g., airport security).
•Seizures:
•Stop-and-Frisk: Brief stops for weapons checks (Terry v. Ohio).
•Show of Authority Stop: Submission to police authority.
•Actual Seizure Stop: Physical detention by police.
•Reasonable Stop Standard: Based on reasonable suspicion.
•Arrests: Taking someone into custody for suspected crimes.
•Interrogations and Confessions: Must follow due process (Miranda rights).
Court Cases
•Illinois v Gates (1983): Established the “totality of circumstances” test for warrants.
•Katz v US (1967): Expanded privacy rights to include wiretaps.
•Hester v US (1924): Defined “open fields” as not protected by the Fourth Amendment.
•Olmstead v US (1928): Permitted wiretapping without trespass.
•Silverman v US (1961): Prohibited invasive surveillance techniques.
•Chimel v California (1969): Limited searches during an arrest to the immediate area.
•Terry v Ohio (1968): Established stop-and-frisk based on reasonable suspicion.
•FL v Bostick: Consent searches during bus sweeps.
•Indianapolis v Edmond: Limited roadblocks for drug searches.
•United States v Cortez: Defined criteria for reasonable suspicion.
•Utah v Strieff: Allowed evidence found during unlawful stops under specific circumstances.
•Illinois v Wardlow: Upheld stops based on suspicious behavior.
•Florida v JL: Anonymous tips alone do not justify stops.
•PA v Mimms: Allowed ordering drivers out of vehicles during stops.
•Trespass Doctrine: Focus on physical entry.
•Plain View Doctrine: Evidence visible to officers can be seized.
•Abandoned Property: Not protected by the Fourth Amendment.
•Personal Security vs. Personal Privacy: Balances police authority with individual rights.