Police: Agents of Law and Order Chapter 4 Introduction to Criminal Justice 2003: A Microsoft® PowerPoint® Tool Slides prepared by: Larry Bassi SUNY Brockport © 2002 Wadsworth Publishing Co.

Early English Police: The Tithing System Families banded together for protection. People raised the “hue and cry” to warn others of trouble and to pursue criminals. Tithings were formed (10 families). Ten tithings banded together to form a hundred supervised by a constable. Hundreds banded together to form shires supervised by the shire reeve.

The Watch System: 13th Century More formal than the pledge system. Employed watchmen to protect property against fire and robbery. Justice of the peace established and given judicial duties. Constables served as assistants to justices of the peace.

18th Century English Policing Industrial revolution takes place and crime dramatically increases. London experiments with different kinds of policing. In 1829, the Metropolitan Police Act (MPA) is passed in Parliament while Sir Robert Peel is home secretary. The MPA creates the first organized police force of over 1,000 men.

Fundamental Principles of the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829

The Three Eras of American Policing

19th Century American Policing Development of police agencies prompted by mob violence. Gentry feared restlessness of the underclass. Gin became a major substance abuse problem. Fear of urban street crime produced demands for greater police protection.

19th Century American Policing Police were incompetent, disliked and corrupt. Primary functions were to: serve as enforcement powers for reigning political powers protect private property control the rising number of foreign immigrants

20th Century American Policing Major movements in policing: Technological advancements telegraph boxes, motorcycles and police cars Local, state and federal crime commissions Public concern about police corruption led to reform efforts

POLICE PROFESSIONALISM 20th Century Reform The first professional police organization, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) was formed in 1893. It was the leading voice in police reform during the first two decades of the twentieth century.

Professional Model of Policing A style of policing advocated by August Vollmer and O.W.Wilson that emphasizes: Centralized police organizations Increased use of technology Limitation of police discretion through regulations and guidelines

Policing in the 1970s Emphasis on good police-community relationships. Federal assistance to local and state agencies to fight the war on crime. Recruitment and promotion of women and minorities increased.

Municipal Police Have majority of personnel NYPD is largest Large & small departments have same functions Average cost per officer per year is about $63,000

County Law Enforcement Either the County Sheriff’s Department (most common) or County Police Department Responsible for: law enforcement local corrections (jail) civil law authority court-related duties

The Functions of Sheriffs’ and Local Police Departments

State Police Agencies Texas Rangers was one of the first state agencies formed. Responsible for: Highway safety Law enforcement in various areas Technical support to other agencies

Federal Law Enforcement Numerous agencies, found in a variety of departments of federal government. No single agency has unlimited jurisdiction. Most agencies have primarily investigative functions. Function of each agency is determined by specific laws.

U. S. Department of Justice Headed by the U. S. Attorney General and is empowered to: enforce all federal laws represent the U.S. in court actions conduct independent investigations through its law enforcement services, e.g. FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals

U.S. Treasury Department Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Controls sale of untaxed liquor and cigarettes and illegal sales, importation & criminal misuses of firearms and explosives. Internal Revenue Service Enforces violations of income, excise, stamp and other tax laws. Often involved with a variety of types of crimes from a tax “point of view.”

U.S. Treasury Department U.S. Customs Service Guards points of entry into the U.S. and prevents smuggling of contraband into and out of the country. U. S. Secret Service Enforces laws against counterfeiting Protects the President, VP and others Maintains the White House Police Force

Private Policing and Security Hallcrest Report By the year 2000, there will be 750,000 contract guards and 410,000 proprietary security forces Recommendations: upgrade employee quality create statewide regulatory bodies mandatory personnel training transferring some police functions

The Rise of Private Security in the United States

Why the Security Industry Has Grown An increase in fear on the part of the public combined with a growing crime rate Problems of crime in the work place Budget cuts in states and cities that have resulted in few officers on the streets A new perception of private security services as cost effective protection measures

What Police Do Provide Enforce Laws Services Preserve Prevent the Peace Prevent Crime

The Changing Role of Police Decentralization of some police services and increased sensitivity to community needs. Increased use of civilians in various positions. Increased need to be fiscally responsible. New kinds of law to enforce and crimes to investigate.

Discretionary Behavior Police judgement is necessary in many situations that they face. While some guidance can be provided to them through standard operating procedures, general and specific orders, it is impossible to predict all the variables that may need to be analyzed before deciding on a course of action.

In general, courts have recognized that a patrol officer is in a unique position to be allowed discretionary powers:

The Causes and Consequences of High-Speed Pursuits

Domestic Disturbances and Discretion Minneapolis Experiment (slide 1 of 2) 1. Experiment where police response to minor domestic disturbances was randomly determined. Possible responses were: Arrest Mediate Separate domestic partners

Domestic Disturbances and Discretion Minneapolis Experiment (slide 2 of 2) 2. Findings: Arrested persons were 50% less likely to repeat behavior than those not arrested. . Replication studies did not not necessarily find the same results. In some cases, arrested suspects become more likely to repeat.

Figure 4.8 Limiting Police Discretion: Mandatory Arrest for Domestic Violence

Guided Discretion - Providing options National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges have provided a Model State Code to guide police officers in cases of domestic violence. The Code suggests that police take all reasonable means to protect the victim and prevent further violence including: Confiscating any weapon involved in the violence Making sure that victims and children are transported to a shelter including taking them Assisting the victim in removing any personal items from the residence Assisting the victim in getting medical assistance including if necessary, transporting them to help Giving the victim immediate and comprehensive information of their rights and possible remedies

Gun Control Controversies Does gun control reduce gun crime? Is gun control a form of unconstitutional control over citizens Are guns a part of our cultures?

The Use of Firearms in Murder and Nonnegligent Homicide