Post on 22-Dec-2015
The POLICE Gatekeepers to the CJ system HIGH VISIBILITY HIGH DISCRETION Tension between wanting
“effective” police and respecting individual freedom
Precursors to Modern Police England (the “frankpledge”)
Pledge system Hundreds “constable” Shires “shire reeve”
Changes in the 13th Century Night Watchmen Justice of Peace
Early American Law Enforcement Followed the English Model County Sheriff most prominent
Many duties Paid by a “fee system”
In larger cities Night Watchmen Town Marshal
The Birth of Modern Policing England, 1829
Sir Robert PeelLondon Police force of 1,000 officers
Distinctive uniforms, military structure
Led by a “commissioner”
Early American Police Departments Development of police agencies
prompted by mob violence. Fear of “underclass” by wealthy Fear of urban street crime produced
demands for greater police protection. First Police Department opened in
Boston in 1838 First Full time = New York City (1844)
Early American Police Departments Police were incompetent, disliked and
corrupt. Appointed by politicians (who you know…)
Enforcement for reigning political powers Bust strikes
Control the rising number of foreign immigrants Brutality common (“Delegated
Vigilantism”)
20th Century American Policing20th Century American Policing
Public concern about police Public concern about police corruption led to reform efforts corruption led to reform efforts August VollmerAugust Vollmer
Technological advancementsTechnological advancements telegraph boxes, motorcycles and telegraph boxes, motorcycles and
police carspolice cars
Public concern about police Public concern about police corruption led to reform efforts corruption led to reform efforts August VollmerAugust Vollmer
Technological advancementsTechnological advancements telegraph boxes, motorcycles and telegraph boxes, motorcycles and
police carspolice cars
Major movements in policing:Major movements in policing:
Current Law Enforcement—The “FEDS” The FBI
The Mann Actinvestigators to enforce Eventually, organized as FBI under
Hoover Responsible for investigating all
violations of federal laws that are not covered by other agencies
Bank Robberies Civil Rights Violations
Other Federal Law Enforcement The Drug Enforcement
Administration Result of Harrison Act
U.S. Marshals INS ATF Secret Service
Between Federal and Municipal County Law Enforcement
Sheriffs Office Responsible for policing non-city
areas State Police
Every state but Hawaii Power/function depends upon
strength of Sheriff
Metropolitan (city) police Large variation in size
New York City = 36,000 officers Average city = 50 or fewer officers
Police Departments are typically their own political entity BUT, chief is appointed by mayor
Functions of the Police PATROL
Since beginning, police have “patrolled a beat”
Purpose is to DETER crime KC Preventative Patrol Directed Patrols or Saturation Patrols
Investigation Proactive vs. Reactive Effectiveness?
Investigation Most Critical =
information at crime scene
Bulk of time is spent on reports
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Named Suspect Unnamed Suspect
Clearance Rate
The “Other” police functions Traffic Control “Social Work Activities”
Order maintenance, problem solving James Q Wilson “Handling the Situation”
THE IRONY is that within police departments, the social work function is often considered “bullshit work” Only 20% of police time involves “real police
work”
The Role of PoliceWhat Should Police be Doing? Traditional Legalistic Model
Patrol and respond to calls Viewed as “real police work”
The latest reform = “community oriented policing”
Community Oriented Policing Wilson and Kelling
The “Broken Windows Thesis” Implication of “broken windows for
policing?” Order Maintenance Problem Solving
Implementing COP ProgramsThe Practice of COP Team Policing Foot Patrols Community “Sub-stations” COP Officers Assigned to
Neighborhoods “Order Maintenance” Programs
Problem Oriented Policing Herman Goldstein coined this term.
Similar to C.O.P.Police should “solve problems” in a particular neighborhood. Example: NYC Domestic Violence Program
Crime Specific “Crackdowns” Targeting Crime “Hot spots”
Effectiveness of C.O.P. or Problem Orientated Policing Effectiveness Sketchy at Best
Some C.O.P. programs have improved community relations and reduced fear of crime.
Some Problem Oriented Policing programs have suppressed/reduced crime in certain locations.
Order Maintenance crackdowns have strained community-police relations in some areas (Amadou Diallo Case)
Police and the Rule of Law
Procedural Laws in Policing Miranda rights Search and Seizure Police Use of Force
Search and Seizure In order to search people, cars, or
homes, police generally need a warrant
Exceptions Incident to Arrest “Stop and Frisk” Automobile Search Consent Search “Plain View”
Police Use of Force Coercive Force is a Part of Policing
How much force is necessary in a situation?
Most “use of force” is non-lethal “Brutality” estimates vary
RACIAL??
The use of Deadly Force Tennessee v. Garner (1985)
“Fleeing Felon”
The “Police personality”? The Stereotype = cynnical, racist,
conservative, hostile Empirical Evidence not Clear
Explaining the “police personality” Individual traits Socialization Effect (more support)
Police Discretion Police only arrest a small % of all
suspects…which ones? Legal Factors “Extra-Legal” Factors
Race?? (SR vs. NCVS), Victim may matter more
DWB, the “war on drugs” Van Mannen “The Asshole”
Situational (intimacy, complainant's preference)