How has law enforcement operation evolved since the 1800 - Research Paper Example

However, with changing trends, the law enforcement system has substantially evolved over the decades and perceptions have changed from penalizing a criminal to providing them with improvement and correction routes (Germann et al., 1970). This dissertation provides a comprehensive discussion on evolution of law enforcement and criminal justice systems from the 1800s to present. Brief history Law enforcement and crime has always been part and parcel of our society in one form or the other, even back in times of cave dwellers.

Tribal people also had a raw form of justice system whereby law-breakers and their closed ones were punished in any manner deemed appropriate. Soon, a need was felt for a formal law and order system with special agencies in place to control crime through authorized punishments. Eventually a system was formed whereby laws were established by ruling authorities while enforced by designated officials. First time, during the Middle Ages, standard form of punishment was introduced in form of exile from a territory or tribe, later followed by payment systems for compensating aggrieved party or his family against waiver of punishment.

Subsequently in beginning of 18th century, William Penn introduced the corrections facility system in order to eradicate and replace harsh means of punishment. As a direct result of this, crime rates decreased and there was an overall improvement in criminals’ mindsets. Nevertheless, the system was unfair towards minors and was based on the Puritan view whereby offenses committed by children were severely prosecuted with the beliefs that they are sinful and wicked. This was combated by establishment of a juvenile justice system in 1820s which aimed at protecting minors from prosecution under criminal law.

Illinois introduced the 1st juvenile court to regulate cases involving offenses made by children and to protect interests of neglected, dependent or orphaned minors. Evolution process A political era ran from 1840 till 1930 and was characterized mainly by decentralization of law enforcement. Officers were designated to various sects and they develop close relationships with people belonging to those territories. They controlled crime through foot patrolling and had political support from various bureaucratic leaders.

As a result, they were significantly absorbed by corruption and bribery and exhibited discrimination against minority classes. However, subsequently regulatory bodies introduced Pendleton Act to suppress bureaucracy and power of such people. Additionally, they made efforts to empower and give equal rights to classes treated inferiorly. Consequently, first woman police officer, namely Maria Owen, was appointed in 1883, marking a turning point in law enforcement history. The era soon faded away and was replaced by the professional era which lasted till 1980.

This era saw stronger controls, decreased crime rates and centralization and better managed operations. Officers were trained to keep a professional stance within societies, keeping distance from people to avoid emotional attachment. They were well-educated and were given better facilities such as vehicles for patrolling. Consequently, various federal agencies were established by Congress, intended to help conventional police forces in complex cases. The term ‘national security’, commonly used today, was coined under this era by President Truman.

He instructed that a body and law