HISTORY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT

Function of Law Enforcement Function of the Police Department Basically the Police Department: Enforce laws by arresting offenders Maintain order by: preventing crime social events and parades patrolling against crime Protecting life and freedoms (liberty)

Historical Development Early Times In Early times (BC), tribes banded together to protect themselves. Codes were developed and informal codes of conduct became the norm. These codes were not written laws. Later the chief of the tribe appointed members to enforce the codes. If a code was broken the injured party had the responsibility to deal with the offender. Justice was usually harsh, usually by stoning, branding, and even mutilation. The results of this often led to feuds among the family. To end this blood feud, the concept of civil restitution became popular.

2111 BC Codified customs appeared. It was the Code of Hammurabi. Penalties were attached to criminal acts (“An eye for an eye”)

27 BC Rome established a unit of men known as vigiles. These men were assigned precincts as their job was to patrol the area, as well as fight fires. These vigils were armed and considered the FIRST MUNICIPAL LAW ENFORCEMENT UNIT It was around this time that the Chinese developed fingerprinting as a means of identification.

ENGLAND The Hue and Cry System was developed. It required every able bodied man to join and chase offenders. King Henry I established Felonies and Misdemeanors. Crimes were no longer committed against the person, instead it was against the state. King Henry II established the Grand Jury and began raising taxes to pay for police.

1829 The Peelian Reform was introduced to police in England. This reform introduced the model for the modern police system. It stated:

The Police Must: Be organized along military lines Be under government control Have perfect command of temper Have good appearance, as it commands respect. Undergo training, as it the root of efficiency Have an ID number Have centrally located headquarters Be hired on a probationary basis Keeps a written system of records

UNITED STATES & LONG ISLAND The U.S. adopted the way of the English. The police wore copper badges (as opposed to silver), hence the name coppers or cops.

1693 The 1st uniformed officer is employed in NYC

1801 Boston is the 1st city to acquire a formal/paid night watch

1844 NYPD is formed Early 1900’s Law enforcement in Suffolk County was the responsibility of the towns/ villages

1901 Fingerprinting becomes an established practice.

1917 1925 New York state police arrived on Long Island Nassau County Police Department is formed

1960 Suffolk County Police Department is formed (over time… divided into precincts)

The Patrol Function Regardless of style of policing, uniformed patrol officers are the backbone of the police department, usually accounting for about two-thirds of a department’s personnel. Patrol officers are the most highly, visible components of the entire criminal justice system. They are charged with supervising specific areas of their jurisdiction, called beats, whether in a patrol car, or by motorcycle, horse, helicopter, or even boat. Each beat, or patrol area, is covered 24 hours a day by different shifts. The major purposes of patrol are to:

Deter crime by maintaining a visible presence Maintain public order/ peacekeeping within the patrol area Enable the police department to respond quickly to law violations or other emergencies Identify and apprehend law violators Aid individuals and care for those who cannot help themselves Facilitate the movement of traffic and people Create a feeling of security in the community.