Law Enforcement Today Chapter 5

Responsibilities of the Police Enforcing Laws “Crime Fighters” Clear mandate to seek out and apprehend violators Most arrests made for “crimes of disorder or public annoyances” Providing Services A lot of time spent directing traffic, emergency medical procedures, counseling those involved in disputes, finding “lost” kids, and giving directions, helping the homeless, and mentally ill

Responsibilities of the Police cont. Preventing Crime Questionable if police can prevent crime High visibility Education *Though these may only delay or move crime to another locale Police are competing against factors it cannot control Unemployment Poverty Immorality Inequality Political change Lack of educational opportunities

Responsibilities of the Police cont. Preserving the Peace “Handling the situation; Breaking up a party and arresting invidividuals for disorderly, drunk in public-lessening the chance for more serious crimes later Domestic dispute- arrest for DomVio, threat/coercion or sympathy to avoid the potential for worse later Zero tolerance on minor offenses to avoid the more serious offenses “Broken window” theory used by NYPD years ago; used now under “Community Policing” theories

History of American Policing Initially Police used to control groups of people (slaves/native americans), delivering goods, regulating buying and selling in town market; health and sanitation; controlling gambling and vice; managing livestock and animals NIGHT WATCH SYSTEM- brought over by colonists in 17 th century in which every able bodied male was required to offer protect the community on a rotating basis Announced time and weather Some spent time sleeping and drinking Some paid others to cover their watch responsibilities By late 18 th century/early 19 th century establishment of formal police forces

History of American Policing cont Robert “Bobbie” Peel organized London police through parliament “Bobbies” did not carry firearms and walked specific beats to prevent crime Philiadelphia employed both day and night watchmen Boston Utilized Peel’s model to organize first police department New York City laid foundation for modern police department; having day and night watchmen under one chief Onset of the Civil War; Baltimore, Boston, Cincinnati, New Orleans, and Chicago followed suit

History of American Policing cont. The Political Era Like today, most police officers were honest, hardworking, and devoted to serving and protecting 19 th century police service was considered poor quality because jobs were received by political connections; cronism; more concerned with serving the political parties in power than the citizens widespread corruption Low salaries = illegal activites = BRIBERY PATRONAGE SYSTEM- hiring and promoting of police officers receiving job related favors in return Provided social services in lieu of arrest for constituents

History of American Policing cont. The Reform Era Herbert Hoover created Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement to assess the American CJ system Wickersham Commission- focused on 2 areas of concern 1.Police Brutality 2.Corrupting influence of politics Reform was needed through higher personnel standards; centralized police administrations, and increased use of technology Professionalization of American Police The Professional Model-Emphasis on centralized police organizations, increased use tech, limits on discretion through regulations and guidelines

History of American Policing cont. Professionalism and Administrative reforms Police chiefs took more control over their department Addition of mid-level supervisors to account for officers and enact crime fighting strategies Chiefs tried to ensure no one area of their jurisdiction was being influenced by politicians Salaries and working conditions improved Females and minorities began to have opportunities with in law enforcement Officers were seen as rolling robots, expected to do no social work as they did on the foot beats

History of American Policing cont. 1960’s-1970’s America prided itself on having the most professional and modern police departments Though efficiency of the reform era caused community relations to suffer Police seen as intruders The Civil Right’s Movement/Vietnam war protests intensified negative feelings of police These poor relations contributed to the national turmoil “Professionalism” caused the police to lose touch with the citizens

History of American Policing cont. The Community Era 1968, Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act Funds provided by federal government for more police/community programs “officer friendly” programs; rec activities; 1970’s- Combined efforts to improve community relations and have aggressive crime fighting strategies 1980’s-90’s- “Community Policing”, meaningful interactions between officers and citizens-similiarities to the 1820’s(Sir Robert Peele) Officers expected to be a problem solver as well as crime fighter Specific Units developed to do such work, crime prevention officers, DARE officers, Bicycle patrol units COMBINED IDEALS OF THE POLITICAL ERA AND REFORM ERA

History of American Policing cont. Intelligence, Terrorism, Technology Intelligence Led Policing- Measures the risk of criminal behavior associated with certain individuals or locations so as to predict when and where such criminal behavior is most likely to occur 9/11- showed inability of LE agencies to react to terrorism related crimes, two years later(2003) 90% of local police and sheriffs departments of large cities had plans developed to deal with crimes of terrorism, along with intelligence gathering programs to prevent these crimes-PLAYS A MAJOR ROLE IN HOMELAND SECURITY NOW Law Enforcement 2.0-Use of internet and social media Prevention, investigation, and outreach

Recruitment and Training of Police Officers Basic Requirements Be a US citizen(or legally in the US) No Felony convictions Have or eligibility for drivers license Be 21 yoa Meet physical and eye sight standards Maximum ages in some departments Extensive background and polygraph Educational requirements

Recruitment and Training of Police Officers cont. Training 6-18 month probationary period including their academy time Academy training 4-6 months Field training, 6-8 weeks Will learn basics of search, seizure, arrest, interview/interrogation, weapon systems, driving, self defense, first aid, crime scene processing, reporting procedures, and terrorism related training (WMD’s)

Recruitment and Training of Police Officers Women and Minorities in Policing Today EEOC/1964 Civil Rights Act Past 20 years have seen departments actively recruiting women/minorities Affirmative Action either by consent decree or law suits brought forth; ie. Numerical goals created to hire more women/minorities CHALLENGES-multiple hurdles often discourage or disqualify women or minorities even with desperate efforts to attract Added scrutiny-often seen as soft/weak, overprotective male officers, sexual harassment

Recruitment and Training of Police Officers Double Marginality Minorities are viewed with suspicion by both white co-workers and citizens they serve Benefits of Diversity Better relationships in more racially diverse communities

Law Enforcement Agencies 11,400 Agencies nationwide; employing over 577,000 people Municipal-1-38,000 officers, county/city/town police Sheriff’s Office-elected, usually full service law enforcement entity; civil process, investigations, court security, tax collection State Police/Highway Patrol Assist local agencies with inadequate resources or assist in crimes that cross jurisdictional boundaries; Highway Patrol usually limited to highways Federal Agencies Enforce federal laws/assist state and local FBI, DEA, ATF, USSS, CBP, USMS, IRS, ICE, USPS, USPP

Private Security Even with growing numbers of Law Enforcement officers and agents, there is still a need for private security guards More than 10,000 private security firms throughout U.S.; 1.1 million employees Usually lack training and resources, should only observe and report, unless force necessary to prevent a felony Citizens Arrest-private citizen/security guard-can arrest for public offense in their presence, or felony in presence or outside presence Deterrence factor-PSF are intended to DETER

Private Security cont. Trends Lack of standards-no federal regulations, though states have differing standards of training Because of low pay and benefits, the best and brightest are not attracted to such jobs Though since 2004, the FBI can do criminal history background checks on applicants because of the use of PSF on government property Growing industry- based on media driven fear, crime in the workplace, budget cuts for LE and terrorism (>75% of US infrastructure protected by private security) But growing industry is causing companies to evolve requiring higher standards