The History of American Police

Sir Robert Peel

1829 – Metropolitan PoliceHesitant approval . . .Concern over use of police as a

mechanism for political tyrannyShould we sacrifice or limit

INDIVIDUAL LIBERTY to improve the ability of the police to prevent or detect crime?

Influence of English Heritage

Limited Police AuthorityLocal ControlDecentralization

Pre-Political Era

Birth of the nation to 1870Diverse, uncoordinated attempts

to develop police to meet the unique needs of a community

e.g. Texas Rangers…cattle rustling

Sheriffs & Marshals…maintaining order in towns

Political EraMid-19th CenturyPolitical machines recruited cops to

encourage citizens to vote for the “right” candidates

Thugs were hired to intimidate, intrude, and to exert political influence

Lots of corruption, payoffs, organized crime, etc…

Reform…replacing “his” cops with “mine”

Professional Era

20th CenturyThree forces for change:

Organized move for professionalismModern communications technologyCivil rights movement

August Vollmer

Chief of Police, Berkley, 1905-1932Principles of police administrationHigher educationHiring college graduatesBetter training

Reform Agenda

Eliminate political influenceAppoint qualified chiefsNonpartisan public serviceRaise personnel standardsScientific management

(centralized command and control)Develop specialized units

Community Policing Era

1970’sWilson, Kelling, TrojanowiczDecentralizedGeneralist

Bayley’s Development of PolicePublic

Paid by & directed by communities

SpecializedDesigned to perform one

particular task (applying force)Professional

Explicit attention given to quality