Development of the American Police: A Historical Overview (From Criminal Justice in America: Theory, Practice, and Policy, P 73-88, 1996, Barry W Hancock and Paul M Sharp, eds. -- See NCJ- 160206)

• NCJ Number: 160211
• Author(s): C D Uchida
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Prentice-Hall, Inc
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

This chapter discusses the history of law enforcement and the role of the police from colonial America to the present.

Abstract

Part I examines the English heritage of law enforcement and its effect on colonial America. The colonists relied heavily on the mother country for their ideas regarding community involvement in law enforcement. Part II examines the problems of urban centers in the 18th and 19th Centuries and turns to the development of the full-time uniformed police in England and America. The preventive approach to law enforcement became central to the police role in both London and American cities. Part III is concerned with police activity in 19th century American cities. Patrol work and officer involvement in corruption are discussed. In Part IV the reform movement of the Progressive Era is examined. From 1890 to 1920 reformers attempted to implement social, economic, and political change in the cities. As part of city government, police departments were targets of change as well. Part V addresses a second reform era. From 1910 to 1960 chiefs became involved in a movement to professionalize the police. Part VI covers the riots and disorders of the 1960's and their immediate effect on policing across the country. Finally, in Part VII, the chapter discusses the long-term legacy of the 1960's, as it examines the developments of the police since 1969 in terms of research and public policy. 24 references, questions for discussion, and suggested student applications of the chapter material