Chapter 4: Roles and Functions of the Police

Roles and Functions of the Police

The Development of Policing in America

• Main Idea 4.1: American methods of maintaining social order and dealing with crime have historical roots in England.

  • Sir Robert Peel and the London Metropolitan Police: Regarded as "The Father of Modern Policing" due to his role in establishing the London Metropolitan Police Act ("An Act for Improving the Police in and Near the Metropolis").

  • Policing in the Southern States:

    • Slave patrols: Civilian groups initially formed in southern states with the primary objective of protecting against potential riots and revolts by enslaved individuals.

    • Black Codes: Laws enacted by southern states following the Civil War, designed to disenfranchise newly freed slaves and control their labor and behavior.

    • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896): A landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision that upheld the constitutionality of racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.

Foundations of Modern American Policing, $1900-1930$

• Main Idea 4.2: Significant urban growth and the introduction of professional practices by August Vollmer transformed the American policing system.

  • August Vollmer and the Professionalizing of Policing:

    • Served as Chief of Police of Berkeley, California, from $1905-1932$.

    • Advocated for police to be a "dedicated body of educated persons comprising a distinctive corporate entity with a prescribed code of behavior."

    • He championed education, professionalism, and administrative reform within police departments.

    • Often considered a counterpart to Sir Robert Peel for his foundational influence on modern policing in America.

Contemporary Policing

• Main Idea 4.3: A distinctive feature of U.S. policing is the existence of thousands of police agencies, each operating within its own jurisdiction. Generally, policing jurisdiction is divided into local, state, and federal levels.

  • How Police Jurisdictions Can Overlap:

    • Example: Bank Robbery: City police have jurisdiction within city limits. If a getaway car enters an interstate highway, state police gain jurisdiction. Since bank robbery is a federal crime, the FBI also has jurisdiction. Sheriff's offices and state police may also be involved depending on the crime's location and their specific roles.

    • Example: Stolen Automobile: City police have jurisdiction if a car is stolen within the city. If the thief leaves the city, county police gain jurisdiction. If the car is taken out of state, the FBI acquires jurisdiction. State police may have jurisdiction for "statewide" operations, and the Sheriff's Office if the car is stolen in the county.

    • Example: Traffic Citations: Only city police have jurisdiction over municipal traffic violations in the city. The Sheriff's Office handles county traffic codes, and the highway patrol manages state traffic codes. Federal agencies typically lack jurisdiction over municipal, county, or state traffic codes, but do enforce traffic codes on military bases, national parks/forests, and federal reservations/lands.

Who Are the Police?

• The U.S. has approximately $17,000$ fragmented, semi-autonomous law enforcement agencies.

• Over $12,000$ of these agencies are under the control of a city government.

• Over $3,000$ are sheriff’s departments.

• There are approximately $1,700$ special police agencies and $49$ state police agencies.

• Fewer than $100$ federal law enforcement agencies exist, with only about $6$ being widely known to the public.

Federal Law Enforcement

• Main Idea 4.4: There are three primary types of federal law enforcement agencies: military, civilian, and Indian Tribal police. Civilian law enforcement agencies, particularly the FBI, have undergone reorganization to enhance their capacity to respond to terrorist threats.

  • Civilian Federal Law Enforcement:

    • The U.S. does not operate a single national police agency.

    • Instead, it employs a system of approximately $50$ semi-autonomous agencies, each operating under various departments within the federal government.

  • Other Federal Law Enforcement Agencies (Examples):

    • U.S. Marshals Service

    • U.S. Postal Investigation Service

    • U.S. Secret Service

    • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

    • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF)

    • Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

  • Reorganization of the FBI Following September $11$, $2001$ (Primary Missions):

    • Protect the U.S. from terrorist attacks.

    • Protect the U.S. against foreign intelligence operations and espionage.

    • Protect the U.S. against cyber-based attacks and high-technology crimes.

    • Combat public corruption at all levels.

    • Protect civil rights.

    • Combat transnational and national criminal organizations.

    • Combat major white-collar crime.

    • Combat significant violent crime.

    • Support federal, state, local, and international partners.

    • Upgrade technology to successfully perform the FBI’s mission.

The State Police

• Main Idea 4.5: State police agencies are primarily responsible for enforcing traffic laws and investigating criminal activities across their respective states.

Special Police

• Main Idea 4.6: Special police agencies are characterized by their limited jurisdictions, responsibilities, and specific powers.

County Law Enforcement Agencies

• Main Idea 4.7: County law enforcement duties are principally carried out by the elected office of the sheriff.

  • The Sheriff:

    • Serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the county.

    • Responsibilities typically include: general law enforcement, court service and protection (e.g., serving warrants, security), and maintaining jail operations.

    • The sheriff is unique as the only elected chief executive officer of a law enforcement agency.

    • Officers under the sheriff are known as deputy sheriffs and commonly wear the traditional star-shaped badge.

The City Police: “The Cops”

• Main Idea 4.8: The municipal police force represents the most local and visible presence of government within a community.

  • Municipal Police:

    • They are the most visible and numerous of all police agencies.

    • Possess the broadest legal jurisdiction within their municipal boundaries.

    • The Chief of Police is appointed by the mayor, city council, or a police commission, and typically does not have civil service job protection.

    • The Deputy Chief, or assistant chief, is selected by the chief from among higher-ranking police administrators.

Selection of Police Officers

• Main Idea 4.9: The professionalism of police forces is significantly influenced by the quality of applicants hired and the comprehensive nature of the training they receive.

Policing Strategies

• Main Idea 4.10: The various styles of policing often reflect the values of the community they serve and the historical relationship between the police and that community.

  • What is Community Policing?

    • Focuses on decentralized strategies that prioritize crime prevention rather than solely rapid response, crime investigation, and apprehension of offenders.

    • Emphasizes promoting the quality of life within the community and maintaining public order, moving beyond a sole reliance on law enforcement.

    • Seeks to use alternatives to arrest and force to address the root causes of problems, rather than just reacting to their symptoms.

  • Broken Window Theory and Zero Tolerance:

    • Broken Window Theory: This belief posits that neglecting public order violations and disruptive behavior will lead to broader community neglect, which in turn fosters increased disorder and crime.

    • Zero-Tolerance Strategy: Involves the strict enforcement of all laws, even for minor violations, based on the premise that addressing small infractions can prevent larger crimes.

  • Problem-Oriented Policing:

    • Aims to increase effectiveness by attacking the underlying problems that give rise to recurrent incidents, which often consume significant patrol and detective time.

    • Relies heavily on the expertise and creativity of line officers to carefully study problems and develop innovative solutions.

    • Involves closer collaboration with the public to ensure that police efforts are directly addressing the needs of citizens.

    • Utilizes a four-step problem-solving process known as S.A.R.A. (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment).

  • Challenges of Community Policing:

    • Decentralization of Decision Making

    • Need for Retraining

    • Crime Displacement versus Elimination

    • Engaging with Minority Communities

    • Potential for "Tyranny of Neighborhoods" (where local groups might exert undue influence).