NCJ Number
169578
Date Published
1992
Length
23 pages
Annotation
This article uses concepts of genetics and epistemology to present a view of the evolution of policing in the United States that differs from historiography.
Abstract
The discussion uses the terminology of genetics and the epistemological methods and concepts of Lovejoy. It describes the evolution of policing and of its management as forms of social change, and more particularly as forms of institutional social change. It states that the genes of social change consist of the culture's essential building blocks. These include institutions, physical settings, technologies, beliefs, values, the knowledge base, the economy, the social structure, and social roles. This framework is used to analyze policing in the colonial period, policing from 1830-1880, police reform beginning in the 1880's, further changes from 1915-1960, and reforms based on systems science starting in the 1960's. Newer factors that may shape the future of policing include cultural pluralism, economic distress in cities, private policing, information and communication technology, the empirical analysis of policing, process-oriented policing, and systems or MBO-oriented policing. Public policing needs to undertake a major reorganization and commitment to policy-driven operations if its quality is to increase. Figures and 45 references