🚦Police and Society Unit 2 – Historical Development of Policing

Origins and Early Forms of Policing

• Ancient civilizations developed early forms of law enforcement to maintain social order and protect the ruling class
  • Babylonian Empire employed a system of watchmen and magistrates to enforce laws (Code of Hammurabi)
  • Ancient Egypt had a centralized police force that served the pharaoh and collected taxes
• Medieval Europe relied on a combination of local sheriffs, constables, and night watchmen to maintain order
  • Sheriffs were appointed by the monarch to enforce laws and collect taxes in their jurisdiction
  • Constables were elected by local communities to serve as peacekeepers and investigate crimes
• The concept of the "hue and cry" emerged, requiring citizens to raise an alarm and pursue criminals when witnessing a crime
• The Statute of Winchester (1285) in England established the office of the constable and laid the foundation for modern policing
• The French monarchy created the Maréchaussée, a military police force that served as a model for other European countries

Evolution of Modern Policing

• The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 established the first modern police force in London, England, under the leadership of Sir Robert Peel
  • Peelian Principles emphasized crime prevention, public approval, and the use of minimal force
  • The "bobbies" or "peelers" became a model for police forces around the world
• In the United States, the first municipal police departments were established in the mid-19th century (Boston, New York, Philadelphia)
  • These early departments focused on maintaining order, enforcing vice laws, and controlling immigrant populations
• The professionalization of policing began in the early 20th century with the introduction of formal training, standards, and accountability measures
  • August Vollmer, chief of the Berkeley Police Department, advocated for the use of scientific methods and higher education in policing
• The civil rights movement of the 1960s led to increased scrutiny of police practices and calls for reform
  • The Kerner Commission (1968) highlighted the need for improved police-community relations and increased diversity in police departments

Key Figures and Reforms

• Sir Robert Peel (1788-1850) established the Metropolitan Police in London and developed the Peelian Principles, which emphasize crime prevention and public trust
• August Vollmer (1876-1955) pioneered the use of scientific methods in policing and advocated for higher education standards for officers
• O.W. Wilson (1900-1972) modernized police administration and emphasized the importance of professionalism and efficiency in law enforcement
• The Wickersham Commission (1929-1931) investigated the state of policing in the United States and recommended reforms to address corruption and inefficiency
• The President's Commission on Law Enforcement and Administration of Justice (1965-1967) conducted a comprehensive study of the criminal justice system and proposed reforms to improve policing and reduce crime
• The Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) program, established by the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, provided federal funding to support community policing initiatives

Policing Models Through History

• The Political Era (1840s-1920s) was characterized by close ties between police and political leaders, with officers often appointed based on political connections rather than merit
• The Reform Era (1920s-1970s) emphasized professionalism, efficiency, and the use of scientific methods in policing
  • The "professional model" of policing focused on rapid response to calls for service and strict enforcement of the law
• The Community Era (1970s-present) prioritizes building partnerships between police and the communities they serve
  • Community-oriented policing strategies involve officers working closely with residents to identify and solve local problems
  • Problem-oriented policing focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying causes of crime and disorder
• Intelligence-led policing relies on the collection and analysis of data to inform decision-making and resource allocation
• Predictive policing uses advanced analytics and machine learning to forecast crime patterns and deploy resources proactively

Technological Advancements in Law Enforcement

• The introduction of the telephone and two-way radio in the early 20th century revolutionized police communication and response times
• The widespread adoption of automobiles in the 1920s and 1930s increased police mobility and expanded their patrol areas
• The development of fingerprinting and other forensic techniques in the early 20th century improved the ability of police to identify and apprehend suspects
• The introduction of computer-aided dispatch (CAD) systems in the 1960s and 1970s streamlined the process of receiving and responding to calls for service
• The use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations, beginning in the 1980s, has helped solve countless cases and exonerate the wrongfully convicted
• The proliferation of surveillance cameras and the use of facial recognition technology has raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties
• The adoption of body-worn cameras by many police departments in recent years aims to increase transparency and accountability in police-citizen interactions

Societal Influences on Policing

• Urbanization and industrialization in the 19th century led to increased crime and disorder, prompting the development of modern police forces
• The temperance movement and the prohibition of alcohol in the early 20th century tasked police with enforcing unpopular laws and battling organized crime
• The civil rights movement of the 1960s exposed discriminatory police practices and led to calls for greater diversity and community engagement in policing
• The "war on drugs" launched in the 1970s and 1980s resulted in a focus on drug enforcement and the disproportionate targeting of minority communities
• The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, led to increased emphasis on homeland security and the expansion of police powers in the name of counterterrorism
• The Black Lives Matter movement, sparked by high-profile incidents of police violence against African Americans, has brought renewed attention to issues of racial bias and excessive force in policing
• The COVID-19 pandemic has presented new challenges for police, including enforcing public health orders and adapting to changes in crime patterns

Challenges and Controversies

• Racial profiling and biased policing practices have eroded trust between police and minority communities
  • Studies have shown that African Americans and Latinos are more likely to be stopped, searched, and subjected to force by police
• The use of excessive force by police, particularly against people of color, has sparked widespread protests and calls for reform
  • High-profile incidents, such as the deaths of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and George Floyd, have galvanized the Black Lives Matter movement
• The militarization of police, including the use of tactical gear and equipment designed for warfare, has raised concerns about the erosion of civil liberties
• The "blue wall of silence," or the reluctance of officers to report misconduct by their colleagues, has hindered efforts to hold police accountable
• The lack of mental health resources and training for police has led to tragic encounters with individuals experiencing mental health crises
• The use of civil asset forfeiture, which allows police to seize property suspected of being connected to criminal activity without a conviction, has been criticized as a violation of due process rights

Future Trends in Policing

• The increasing use of technology, such as body-worn cameras, drones, and predictive analytics, is likely to shape the future of policing
  • The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into policing strategies may help identify crime patterns and allocate resources more efficiently
• The emphasis on de-escalation and crisis intervention training for officers is expected to grow in response to concerns about the use of force
• The decriminalization or legalization of certain drugs, such as marijuana, may shift the focus of policing away from drug enforcement and toward harm reduction and public health approaches
• The movement to "defund the police" and reallocate resources to social services and community-based alternatives is gaining traction in some cities
• The increasing diversity of police departments, both in terms of race and gender, may help improve police-community relations and build trust
• The development of more robust civilian oversight mechanisms and independent investigative bodies may enhance police accountability and transparency
• The growing recognition of the need to address the root causes of crime, such as poverty, education, and mental health, may lead to a more holistic and collaborative approach to public safety