Chapter 4 Police in Society: History and

Organization

Learning ObjectivesDescribe how law enforcement developed

in feudal EnglandSummarize characteristics of the first law

enforcement agenciesDiscuss the development of law

enforcement in the United StatesAnalyze the problems of early police

agenciesDiscuss how reformers attempted to create

professional police agencies

Learning ObjectivesDescribe the major changes in law

enforcement between 1970 and todayBe familiar with the major federal law

enforcement agenciesSummarize the differences among state,

county, and local law enforcementExplain the role of technology in police

work

The History of PoliceOrigins of police traced to early English

societyBefore 1066 BCE:

Pledge System - families banded together for protection

Prior to the thirteenth Century in England: Shires

Similar to counties Reeves

Appointed to supervise the territory

The History of PoliceIn the thirteenth Century England:

Watch system Employed watchmen to protect against robberies, fires,

and disturbances

In 1326: The office of the Justice of the Peace was

created

Private Police and Thief TakersDuring early eighteenth century:

Rising crime rates encouraged and new form of private, monied police who profited from legal and illegal conduct as informal police departments

These private police were referred to as “Thief Takers”

Creating Public Police1829: Sir Robert Peel, England’s home

secretary lobbied an “Act for Improving the Police in and near the Metropolis” Established the first organized police force in London with over 1,000 men

By 1856, all boroughs and counties in England were required to form their own police force

Law Enforcement in Colonial AmericaParalleled British modelCounty Sheriff

Collecting taxes, supervising elections, and performing other matters of business

Instead of patrolling or seeking out crime, the Sheriff reacted to citizens’ complaints and investigated crimes

Early Police AgenciesBoston created first formal U.S. police dept.

in 1838 New York Police – 1844 Philadelphia Police – 1854

Conflict between police and the public was born in the difficulty that untrained, unprofessional officers had in patrolling the streets of cities and controlling labor disputes

Early Police AgenciesPolice during the nineteenth century:

Involved foot patrols Were regarded as incompetent and corrupt

Police agencies evolved slowly during the second half of the nineteenth century Uniforms were introduced in New York (1853) Communication links between precincts using

telegraph (1850s) Bicycles introduced (1897) Primary responsibility was maintaining order

Policing in the Twentieth CenturyThe emergence of professionalism

The 1960s and Beyond

Policing in the 1970s

Policing in the 1980s

Policing in the 1990s

The Emergence of Professionalism1893 International Association of Chiefs of

Police (IACP) Called for a civil service police force

August Vollmer Most famous police reformer

Instituted university training for young officers

Helped to develop the school of Criminology at the University of California, at Berkeley

The 1960s and BeyondTurmoil and crisis in the 1960sSupreme Court decisions impacted policeCivil rights of suspects expanded significantlyCivil unrest between the public and policeRapidly growing crime rate in the 1960sBoth violent and property crimes increased

The 1970s1970s

There were structural changes in police departments, increased federal support for criminal justice

Law Enforcement Assistance Administration provided resources: Improved police training Supported innovative police research

More woman and minorities were recruited for police work

The 1980s and 1990s1980s

Emergence of community policing, unions fought for increase in salaries, state and local budgets were cut

1990s Rodney King case prompted an era of

police reform Police departments embraced forms of policing that

stressed cooperation with the community and problem solving

Policing and Law Enforcement TodayLaw Enforcement agencies are adapting to the

changing nature of crime (Ex: terrorism and internet fraud)

700,000 sworn law enforcement officers throughout these jurisdictions: Federal State County Metropolitan Private

Federal Law Enforcement AgenciesU.S. Justice Department Agencies:

Federal Bureau of Investigations Drug Enforcement Administration Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and

Explosives U.S. Marshals

Department of Homeland Security Agencies: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) The Secret Service

State Law Enforcement AgenciesFirst agency was the Texas Rangers, created

in 1835First truly modern state police agencies:

1903 – Connecticut 1905 – Pennsylvania

State police agencies 60,000 officers and 30,000 civilians Primarily responsible for highway patrol and

traffic law enforcement

County Law Enforcement AgenciesToday sheriffs’ offices contain 330,000 full-

time employees including 175,000 sworn personnel

Provide court securityOperate the jail systemDuties vary widely depending on size

Metropolitan Law Enforcement AgenciesRange in size from agencies with 40,000

officers to departments with only 1 part-time officer

Nearly 13,000 departments with over 460,000 sworn personnel

Majority of departments have fewer than 50 officers and serve a population under 25,000

Most provide a wide variety of services and functions

Private PolicingPrivate security has become a multimillion-

dollar industry10,000 firms and 1.5 million employeesPeople employed in private security

outnumber public police by almost three to one

Privatized security costs less than public officers

Technology and Law EnforcementThere is little doubt that the influence of

technology on policing will continue to grow: Crime Mapping License Plate Recognition Technology Digitizing Criminal Identification Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems Digital Dental Records DNA Testing

Future TechnologyGenetic algorithmsAugmented Reality technologyAutomated Biometric Identification System