History of Police in America - Essay Example

? History of Police History of Police Introduction The past three decades have witnessed many scholars showing an interest in the history of the police and policing. Uchida (2004) notes that early publications were mainly concentrated on the description of specific police agencies. He reveals that James f. Richardson (1970) and Roger Lane (1967) set everything rolling by defining the genesis of policing in New York and Boston respectively. Henceforth, other scholars have followed the trend with the descriptions of police agencies in various parts of the United States of America. Uchida also points out that some authors have focused on issues in policing. This is evident from the study carried out in 1977by Wilbur Miller. The study attempted to examine the legitimating of police in New York and London. Robert Fogelson (1977) and Samuel walker (1977) focused mainly on reform and professionalism of delinquent police during the 1800s and 1900s. It is also reported that Erick Monkkonen (1981) took a different approach from those used by his predecessors. He applied quantitative methods to analyze the advancement of policing between 1860 and the 1920s, considering 23 cities (Uchida, 2004). Despite using different methods, all of them exemplify how policing has developed over time. The scholars cite the origins of the concepts like authority, crime prevention, discretion and professionalism. They also reveal the causes of policing problems including brutality, inefficiencies and corruption. The main objective of the paper is to explore the origin of policing. It will also describe the impacts of Sir Robert Peel on American policing. Finally, the paper will provide an analysis of the affiliation between the government of America and policing agencies across the U.S. explaining how the relationship may affect police practices. Uchida (2004) notes that like most of the US’ common law tradition, policing as it is today can be straightforwardly be associated with English heritage. He argues that notions pertaining to community policing, the posse, constables, crime prevention, and sheriffs emerged from the enforcement of regulations in England. Beginning 900 A.D., the responsibility to enforce law was vested in civilians. As a result, every common person was accountable for helping a neighbors who fell victim to outlaws. Since there were no police officers then, people were forced to use force as sanctioned by the state to maintain harmony. Reith once (1956) described the law enforcement model as ‘kin police’. This implies that individuals were their brothers’ keepers and therefore took responsibility for their kin. Uchida (2004) reveals that the model slowly evolved into a formal community-based or ‘communitarian’ police system. It is reported that a community model was developed immediately after the Norman Conquest of 1066, called the frankpledge. Uchida (2004) notes that the frankpledge police system required that every male who 12 years of age be part of a group comprising 10 neighbors, called tything. The responsibility of the each tything was to arrest and take to court any member who committed a crime. In essence, every individual pledged participate in the protection of fellow citizens, and would in turn enjoy similar protection from others. Uchida points out that tything was obligatory in nature and no tythingmen were to be remunerated for the work the did. Rather, they were compelled by law to perform specific tasks. It is also reported that tythingmen also had the power to keep suspects in custody awaiting trial. They would also regularly appear before the courts to report any misdeed spotted among its members. The system required that failure by a member of the tything to carry out their duties called heavy fines for the entire group. Uchida (2004) notes that ten tythings were grouped into a hundred, under the direction of a leader who was an appointee of the local nobleman. This leader became the first policeman and was therefore the first official with law enforcement to have the obligation to enforce law on top of assisting neighbors in trouble. Klockars (1985) notes that just like tythings were grouped into hundreds, the hundreds formed shires like the current counties. Every shire was supervised by the sheriff or shire reeve, an appointee of the king. Klockars (1985) cites that by 13th century, frankpledge began disintergrating. The king’s insufficient supervision led to the downfall of the policing system. This later led to the emergence of parish constable system. Klockars (1985) points out that the Statute of Winchester of 1285 gave greater power to the constables to enforce law. As such, one individual from every parish served one year as constable, the position being subject to rotation. The constable’s responsibility was to organize a group of guards to watch over the gates of the towns during the night. These guards were not paid then for their services and were picked from parish population. In case of any serious commotion, the parish constable had the authority to raise an alarm. This implied that all the males in the parish were to leave whatever they had been engaged in and respond to the constable’s call. The office of the peace justice was later instituted in mid-1300 to help the sheriffs in policing the territory. The shire reeve and the local constable then became assistant to the justice of the peace, who superintended the guards, took custody of prisoners before appearing in courts and served warrants as well (Klockars, 1985). This system was successful only until the end of 1700. The development of huge cities, civil disorder and increased crime necessitated changes into the system towards the end of the 18th century resulting in the development of the current police force seen today. Sir Robert Peel and American policing Sir Robert Peel, a UK national is credited for drafting the famous Peelian principle that led to the development of the modern policing. He is also credited for establishing an ethical police force called the Metropolitan Police Force, to help enforce law and order to reduce crime rates in London (Sparrow et al., 1990). His policing ideas are said to have impacted enormously on Americas policing. It is noted that prior to the introduction of the Peelian principle, law enforcement in both the US and UK had been left in the hands of constables, sheriffs, general public and watchmen as earlier stated. This system was found to be not only informal but also unorganized. Walker and Katz (2011) note that there had been previous attempts to establish an organized police force that was not leaned on harassment of the public in early 1215 through the Magna Carta. Nevertheless, rapid industrialization and urbanization heavily interfered with any facade of law and order. As a result, there came a need to formulate a good strategy that would suit the modern times. Both the US and UK had several outstanding issues with regard to its law enforcement. Firstly, there had been a need to recruit qualified and competent police force. Secondly, there was a need to control police force through autonomous body, to do away with biases as some constables enjoyed politician’s backings or their seniors. Thirdly, the new law was supposed to create a uniform body to as to handle any misconduct and impose penalties where officers were found guilty. Having analyzed these issues, Peel proposed comprehensive solutions, which he termed Peelian principle. The nine principles are helped solve these issues thereby creating a formidable policing in the US. The US policing is said to still operate under the Peelian Principle to date (Walker and Katz, 2011). The Relationship between the Policing Organizations and the U.S. Government To understand the relationship between the policing organizations and the U.S. government, it is imperative that we first understand policing organizations. The American police departments are established in a bureaucratic organizational and administrative structure. This bureaucratic structure exists because it is perceived as the most effective means that could help in organizing as well as directing different activities in pursuit of a common goal. However, the relationship between the policing organization and the US government is one in which policing organizations have rules and guidelines that are set by the US government, which they are expected to follow in order to operate an organized system (Klockars, 1985). Two levels of police exists in the US; Federal and State. The Federal level is composed of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) among other agencies. These organizations derive their powers from article 1 sec. 8 of the US constitution. FBI is mandated to pursue criminals who might cross the State and county boundaries. The DEA on the other hand enforces laws regarding substances that have a tax ban attached on them. The State level includes County Sheriffs, State Trooper, and the Local/City Police. The relationship that exists between policing organizations and the US government affects police practices both positively and negatively. First, it ensures that that proper laws are established that provides the police force with powers and jurisdiction of operation. However, there influence in providing rules and guidelines have been seen to deny the police force the autonomy to operate independently without interference. In conclusion, is apparent that policing originated from the English heritage that dates back to 1900 A.D. Since then, the policing system has undergone through several changes under the influence of Peelian Principle formulated by Robert Peel. References Klockars, C. (1985). The idea of police. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage Publications. Sparrow, M.K., Mark, M., & David, M.K. (1990). Beyond 911: A new era for policing. New York: Basic Books, Inc. Uchida, C.D. (2004). The Development of the American police: An historical overview. Justice and Security Strategies, Inc. December. 1-33. Walker, S. & Katz, C. M. (2011). The Police in America: An Introductory 7th ed. New York, NY. McGraw – Hill. Read More