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Criminal Justice - Development of the American Pol

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    Study Guide Criminal Jus Ɵ ce – Development of the American Police 1. Developing the New Police The years between the end of the Revolutionary War and 1900 were a time of major change in the United States. Society was growing quickly, and not always smoothly. Industrialization created factories and new jobs, urbanization packed people into crowded cities, immigration brought many new cultures and communities, and slavery created deep social conflict. Together, these changes led to rising crime and disorder. To deal with these problems, Americans began searching for a new way to maintain order. Instead of relying on informal systems like night watches, they looked overseas for ideas. One of the biggest influences came from London, England. 1.1 Robert Peel and the “Bobbies” A British politician named Robert Peel played a key role in shaping modern policing. In 1829, he convinced Parliament to pass the Metropolitan Police Act. This law eliminated the old night watch system and created a full - time, uniformed police force in Lon don. The new police had a clear goal: preventing crime before it happened. This was a major change. In the past, law enforcement mostly reacted after a crime occurred, often relying on citizens to raise an alarm. Peel’s police focused on prevention instead. To achieve this, officers practiced preventive patrol. They walked regular routes, called beats, through city neighborhoods. These officers became known as “Bobbies,” named after Peel. The idea was simple: if police were visible on the streets, potential c riminals would be discouraged from breaking the law. Peel also introduced a military - style organization. Officers wore uniforms, followed strict rules, and worked within a clear chain of command. Ranks, discipline, and authority were central to how the London police operated.

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    Study Guide 1.2 Adop Ɵ ng the London Model in America Americans liked some parts of the London system, but not all of it. They adopted the idea of crime prevention through patrol and organized police departments with a military - style structure. However, Americans rejected the idea of a national police force. The British police were centralized and controlled by the national government, with little political interference. Americans believed this system was too elitist and not democratic enough. Instead, American police departments were local and decentralized. Political leaders in city wards and neighborhoods had strong influence over police hiring, policies, and daily operations. This meant that, unlike in London, American police were closely ti ed to local politics. 1.3 The First American Police Departments Boston established the first modern American police force in 1838 with the creation of a day watch. New York City followed in 1844 by forming its own police department. These early departments laid the groundwork for today’s police system. In many cities, police reform involved adding daytime officers or combining day and night watches into one organization. Officers were hired full - time and paid salaries, which marked an important step toward professional policing. 1.4 The Problem of Poli Ɵ cal Control As police departments grew, political machines gained control over them. These machines dominated city governments and used police jobs as rewards for political loyalty. Police positions were often given to members of ethnic groups that supported the political machine. As a result, police departments reflected the racial and ethnic makeup of the politicians’ supporters — not necessarily professional standards or public needs . 1.5 The Problem of Corrup Ɵ on Corruption became widespread during this period. Police officers frequently ignored vice laws, which regulated activities like drinking, prostitution, and gambling. In exchange, they accepted bribes from people who ran these illegal businesses.

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    Study Guide Efforts to eliminate corruption rarely succeeded. Powerful political groups benefited from the system, so there was little motivation to change it. 1.6 Police Brutality and Racial/Ethnic Discrimina Ɵ on Tension between police and the public grew over time. Many citizens saw police officers as poorly trained, poorly supervised, and loyal to politicians rather than the community. This damaged public trust. Some Americans also felt that policing was too authoritarian for a democratic society. Police brutality was common, especially in situations involving racial, ethnic, and class conflict. These problems further strained relationships between the police and the communities they served. 2. Fron Ɵ er Jus Ɵ ce Life on the American frontier was dangerous and unpredictable. In the western territories, there were often no established police forces at all. As a result, crime and disorder were common. To deal with this problem, people created a mix of private and pub lic law enforcement systems. These early forms of policing filled the gap until more formal agencies could be established. 2.1 Vigilantes: Ci Ɵ zens Taking the Law Into Their Own Hands One of the earliest responses to the lack of law enforcement was the formation of vigilante committees. These groups were made up of local citizens who believed they had no choice but to protect their communities themselves. Vigilantes arrested suspected criminals, held trials, decided guilt or innocence, and carried out punishment. While they aimed to bring order, vigilante justice often lacked fairness and legal protections, making it controversial and sometimes violent. 2.2 Sheri ff s: The First Formal Law Enforcement As territories began to develop governments, the sheriff’s office became the first official law enforcement agency beyond the Mississippi River. Sheriffs were usually elected and had legal authority within their counties.

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    Study Guide They enforced laws, made arrests, and maintained order over large and often dangerous areas. Although resources were limited, sheriffs marked an important step toward organized policing in the frontier regions. 2.3 State Police: Expanding Law Enforcement Power The first territorial police agency in the United States was the Texas Rangers . The Rangers were originally formed in 1835 as a group of fighters during the Texas revolution against Mexico. Over time, they transitioned into a professional law enforcement agency. In 1905, Pennsylvania created the first modern state police force. This model spread quickly, and within 20 years, state police agencies became common across the country. Early state police often handled tasks that local police could not or would not do. These duties included breaking up labor strikes and enforcing laws in rural areas where local policing was weak or nonexistent. 2.4 U.S. Marshals: Federal Law on the Fron Ɵ er The U.S. Marshals Service is the oldest federal law enforcement agency in the United States, established in 1789. During the 19th century, marshals played a crucial role in frontier justice. Riding on horseback, marshals made arrests, served court documents, transported and managed federal prisoners, and even conducted the U.S. population census. Their wide range of responsibilities made them essential to maintaining federal authority in dista nt and unsettled regions. 2.5 Why Fron Ɵ er Jus Ɵ ce Ma Ʃ ers Frontier justice shows how policing developed in response to real challenges. With little structure and vast territory, early Americans relied on a mix of citizen action, local officials, state forces, and federal agents. While these systems were imperfect , they laid the foundation for the modern law enforcement agencies we have today.

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    Study Guide 3. Progressive Police Reform By the late 1800s and early 1900s, many Americans believed the police needed serious reform. This belief grew out of Progressivism , a social movement that supported change, improvement, and reform instead of keeping things the same. Progressives were responding to the challenges of a rapidly growing urban and industrial society. They pushed for major reforms, such as regulating large corporations, cleaning up corruption in city governments, ending child labor, and giving women the rig ht to vote. A small group of civilian reformers, mostly from the eastern United States, entered local government to push these ideas forward. One of the most influential figures was Theodore Roosevelt . Before becoming president, Roosevelt served as president of the New York City Board of Police Commissioners from 1895 to 1897. During this time, he worked to reduce the power that political machines had over the police. 3.1 Civil Service: Hiring Based on Merit One of the most important reforms introduced by civilian reformers was civil service . Under civil service rules, police officers were hired and promoted based on merit and performance on exams — not political connections. This system slowly replaced political patronage, where jobs were handed out as political favors. Over time, civil service helped make police departments more professional and fair. 3.2 Other Reforms Recommended by Progressives Progressive reformers also suggested several other major changes to policing. These included: • Centralizing authority within police departments to improve organization and control • Improving police personnel by raising hiring standards • Narrowing the police role , so officers could focus mainly on law enforcement • Removing politics from policing , so officers served the public instead of politicians Together, these ideas aimed to make policing more efficient, fair, and trustworthy.

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    Study Guide 3.3 Police as Social Workers Not all Progressives believed police should focus only on law enforcement. Some saw police officers as social workers who should help solve social problems. To support this role, a few departments began hiring women officers. In 1905, the Portland Police Department hired Lola Baldwin to work in child protection at the World’s Fair. She became the first woman police officer in the United States. Another early policewoman, Alice Stebbins Wells , worked for the Los Angeles Police Department. She believed policewomen should serve a helping role similar to that of a mother in the home. However, this view reinforced gender stereotypes. Women were usually limited to working with juveniles and were not allowed to patrol. Most women were excluded from patrol duties until the late 20th century. 3.4 The Rise of Police Professionalism Progressive ideas about reform eventually led to a second major movement: police professionalism . Many police chiefs argued that departments should operate like modern organizations. A professional police department would be efficient, free from political influence, use modern technology, and employ well - trained officers. 3.5 August Vollmer: A Leader in Police Professionalism One of the most important figures in police professionalism was August Vollmer , who served as chief of police in Berkeley, California, from 1909 to 1932. Vollmer believed professional policing meant effective crime control, political neutrality, college - educated officers, and a strong commitment to public service. He introduced many innovations that shaped modern policing. He was the first to create an academic degree program in law enforcement. His department was the first to use forensic science to solve crimes and the first to use automobiles for patrol. Vollmer also helped develop one of the earliest codes of ethics , which banned officers from accepting gifts, favors, or rewards.

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    Study Guide 3.6 O. W. Wilson: Policing Through Science and E ffi ciency One of Vollmer’s most influential students was O. W. Wilson . Wilson focused on applying scientific management principles to police departments to improve efficiency. As police chief in Wichita, Kansas, Wilson was one of the first leaders to support the use of single - officer patrol cars. Later, as a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, he became the nation’s leading expert on police administration. 3.7 Why Progressive Reform Ma Ʃ ers Progressive police reform changed the direction of American policing. It reduced political control, improved professionalism, and introduced ideas that still influence police departments today. While not all reforms were perfect, this period laid the found ation for modern, organized, and professional law enforcement. 4. Crime Control Decades (1919 – 1959) Between 1919 and 1959, policing in the United States entered what is often called the crime control era . During this time, law enforcement focused heavily on fighting crime and maintaining order. While reformers like August Vollmer and O. W. Wilson were promoting professionalism, most police agencies were mainly concerned with controlling crime and political unrest. 4.1 The Red Scare: Fear of Radical Ideas One of the biggest events of this period was the Red Scare of 1919 – 1920 . During this time, federal and state governments — and even vigilante groups — worked to suppress people who held radical or left - wing political views. The Red Scare reached its peak with the Palmer Raids in January 1920. These raids were led by U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer . Thousands of people were arrested in 33 cities. Before the raids, the Bureau of Investigation (created in 1908) compiled lists of people considered “subversive.” The government promoted the idea that anyone who criticized government policies was disloyal. This mindset led to widespread violations of civil liberties.

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