History of the Police

HISTORY OF THE POLICE

Introduction

  • Dr. Jackie Keen: Delivering a comprehensive overview of police history.

CODE OF HAMMURABI

  • Historical Context: Reigned by Hammurabi, the 6th king of the 1st Babylon Empire (1792 BC to 1750 BC).

  • Significance: First written code of formal laws, estimated to have been written in 1750 BC.

  • Content of the Code: Addresses various aspects:

    • Property offenses

    • Marriage and family issues

    • Social and economic matters

  • Example Law: "If a man breaks into a house, they shall kill him and hang him in front of that house."

WATCH SYSTEMS IN EARLY AMERICA

  • Operational Period: 1630s to early 1700s.

  • Cities Involved: Boston, New York, and Philadelphia.

  • Night Watch Systems: Implemented by cities but primarily operated by volunteers or those being punished.

  • Slave Patrols: Emerged during the 18th century as a form of policing.

  • Formation of Municipal Police Forces: Began in the late 1820s.

POLICING IN COLONIAL AMERICA

  • Formal Positions: Appointed by governors; predominantly landowners to protect their properties.

  • Role of Parish Constables: Maintained police equipment and weapons.

  • Functions of County Sheriffs:

    • Capturing criminals

    • Serving subpoenas

    • Supervising elections

  • Payment Structure: Paid by fees which led to corruption issues.

SIR ROBERT PEEL AND MODERN POLICING

  • Influence on US Policing: Heavily impacted the evolution of policing in the United States.

  • Metropolitan Police Act (1829): Pioneered by Sir Robert Peel, regarded as the foundation for modern policing.

SIR ROBERT PEEL’S PRINCIPLES

  1. Police must be stable, efficient, and organized.

  2. Police must operate under government control.

  3. The absence of crime serves as a measure of police efficiency.

  4. Distribution of crime news is crucial to effective policing.

  5. Essential to deploy police strength based on time and area.

  6. A policeman’s temper and demeanor can influence public perception more than violent actions.

  7. Good appearance commands respect.

  8. Efficiency stems from hiring and training the right individuals.

  9. Each police officer must be assigned a unique number.

  10. Police headquarters should be easy for the community to reach.

  11. Officers should initially be hired on a probationary basis.

  12. Accurate police records are necessary for effective distribution of strength.

MODERN-DAY POLICING REFLECTION

  • Query: Do today's policing practices reflect Peel's principles? How or how not?

BOBBIES - POLICING IN THE 19TH CENTURY

  • Context: Urbanization and industrialization changed the policing landscape, incorporating Peel’s principles.

  • Duties:

    • Deal with criminal activity

    • Maintain order

    • Prevent crime

  • Uniforms: "Bobbies" wore distinctive uniforms, armed with nightsticks and rattles for alarms.

FIRST POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN THE US

  • Controversy regarding which city first established a formal police department:

    • New York (1845)

    • Boston (1838)

    • Cincinnati (1852)

    • Chicago (1855)

    • Philadelphia (1855)

    • Baltimore (1857)

  • Majority by 1880s: All significant U.S. cities had established municipal police forces.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF FEDERAL POLICE ORGANIZATIONS

  • Federal Law Enforcement Timeline:

    • U.S. Marshals (1789)

    • FBI (1908)

    • CIA (1947)

    • DEA (1973)

THE ERAS OF POLICING

  • Political Era: 1840s to 1930s

    • Characterized by corruption and political control.

  • Reform Era: 1930s to 1980s

    • Focused on crime control and reducing corruption.

  • Community Era: 1980s to Present

    • Emphasizes community engagement and proactive policing.

  • Homeland Security Era: Post September 11, 2001, to Present

    • Emphasizes counterterrorism and national security.

POLITICAL ERA (1840s to 1930s)

  • Characteristics: Formation of major police departments.

    • Politically influenced; plagued with issues of corruption, brutality.

MODERN POLICE ORGANIZATIONS

  • Bureaucratic Structures:

    • Publicly supported, officers as full-time employees.

    • Fixed rules and accountability to a government authority.

  • Major Concerns:

    1. Uniforms – visibility vs. anonymity.

    2. Armed presence – personal safety vs. public suspicion.

    3. Use of force – ethical considerations surrounding force in policing.

REFORM ERA (1930s to 1980s)

  • Known as the Professional Era: Addressed political interference and aimed at controlling crime through professionalism.

  • Role redefinition: Shift towards crime fighting, limited discretion, and creation of special units as necessary.

  • August Vollmer: Recognized as the Father of American Policing; his initiatives included:

    • Emphasizing scientific methods, education, and ethical conduct in policing.

    • Innovations included the adoption of new technologies like radios, bike patrols, files, and lie detectors.

COMMUNITY ERA (1980s to 2001)

  • Emergence Factors: Necessitated by rising violence, lack of officer-citizen interaction, and problematic civil rights issues.

  • Key Components:

    • Community engagement, decentralization, proactive policing, partnership formation, problem-oriented strategies.

  • Goals: Improve public trust in law enforcement, reduce crime collaboratively.

HOMELAND SECURITY ERA (Post 9/11)

  • Key Components:

    • Counterterrorism focus, intelligence-led policing, interagency collaboration, and emergency preparedness.

  • Goals: Prevent terrorist attacks, enhance law enforcement's response to national threats, protect infrastructure.

EVOLUTION OF THE POLICE OFFICER

  • Key Roles Through History:

    • Rattle Watch (1700s)

    • Commissioned Officer (1850)

    • U.S. Marshal (1870)

    • Roundsman (1900)

    • Patrolman (1920)

    • Motorcycle Patrol (1950)

    • Detective (1960)

    • State Trooper (1970)

    • City Police (1990)

    • SWAT (2000)

POLICE REFORMS

  • Focus on Continuous Improvement: Reference to Police Reform illustrating ongoing initiatives and changes within policing methodologies.

    • Relevant content referenced through parts 1 and 2 in multimedia discussions.