History of Policing

1. History of Policing PSCI 2481 Wyatt Earp Ofc. Pete Malloy

2. A BRIEF HISTORY OF POLICING • Pre-Colonial Policing in England • Colonial Policing in America • Post-Revolutionary Policing The Rise of the Police Department (1790s-1840s) • The Political Era The “Service” Department (1840s-1920s) • The Reform Era Crime Fighting as Police Business (1930s-1970s) • The Modern Era Community-Problem Solving (1980s - ????)

3. Early Policing in England “Era of voluntary peacekeeping” 1285 Statute of Winchester - Citizens are required to pursue criminals under the direction of the Constable. 1361 Justices of the Peace appointed by the Crown Watchmen introduced by King Charles II (1649-1685).

4. Early Policing in England 1748 - Henry Fielding – author of “Tom Jones” takes over as JP of the Bow Street Court • “Inquiry into the Causes of (Crime)” • Leads efforts to educate the public about the crime problem - Covent Garden Journal • Also publishes the Weekly Pursuit - a 1 page flyer (precursor of the modern “.Ten Most Wanted” List) • Organizes an ex-constable band called the “Bow Street Runners” - salaried group of “vigilantes” but also the first London force.

5. American Colonial Period • The Early Colonies: An Era of Self-policing: • Similar backgrounds, similar religious beliefs, little to steal, nowhere to hide, towns provided protection against the wilderness. (similar to the society found in Tristan de Cuhna) (Of course, the settlers were hardly the cream of European society. Many were legal and religious castoffs.)

6. American Colonial Period • Era of British Rule: Two principal “police” institutions The Constable Chosen by the townspeople Job - Suppress violations of community religious (moral) edicts, primarily victimless crimes. Keep drunks in line. Watch for gambling and prostitution. The Night Watch A patrol of “volunteers” supervised by a Constable Report drunks and single women out after dark. Duty was avoided by paying others to take your shift. (precursor of the paid police force)

7. American Colonial Period • During this period, citizens, regardless of their economic status, were responsible for the identification and pursuit of criminal offenders. • Once a criminal was identified, it was the citizens’ responsibility to raise the “hue and cry” and to join the posse to track down the criminal. • In those days, the penalties were severe so criminals had the incentive to run. • Detection of crime was largely a private affair. Initiatives were encouraged through rewards paid to informers.

8. American Colonial Period • While night watch groups were established in the northern colonies, groups of white men organized slave patrols in the southern colonies. • Slave patrols were responsible for controlling, returning, and punishing runaway slaves. • These slave patrols are generally considered to be the first "modern" police organizations in this country.

9. American Colonial Period • Policing on the western frontier varied widely. • Settlers originally from northern colonies created marshals and police “forces” similar to those in northern colonies. • Settlers from southern colonies relied on sheriffs and posses. • In many western settlements, however, there was no formal organized law enforcement. In these areas, groups of vigilantes were formed by volunteer citizens to combat any threat to the order of the settlements.

10. The First Police Departments London (“The British Model”) • Formed in 1829 under the command of Robert Peel. • His officers were first called “Peelers” and later “Bobbies”, a derogatory term at first used by British citizens suspicious of this new police presence in their community.

11. Police force of over 1000 officers with a new approach to crime fighting. • The MPF became a model for all British provincial police forces. • Policing was a political business even in “Merry Ole England”. Peel founded the Metropolitan Police Force when he was Home Secretary in Lord Liverpool’s Cabinet. The success of the Metropolitan Police of London led to Peel’s eventual rise to Prime Minister of England in 1835.

13. Peeler’s Principles“The police are the public and the public are the police.” • The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder. • The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon the public approval of police actions. • Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observation of the law. • Police seek and preserve public favor not by catering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.

14. Peeler’s Principles • The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force. • Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when persuasion, advice, & warning is found to be insufficient.

15. Boston – The American Prototype • When first initiated by the City Council in 1824, the “department”, under the supervision of the city Marshall, was charged with "the care of the streets, the care of the common sewers, and the care of the vaults, and whatever else affects the health, security, and comfort of the city." • In these early days, an officer on duty carried a six-foot pole, painted blue and white to protect himself, and a "police rattle" to call for assistance.

16. Boston Police DepartmentA Brief Historical Chronology 1635: First night watch established. 1788: The word "police" appeared for the fist time, designating a specific office, "Inspector of Police". 1822: The Town of Boston became the City of Boston. Increases in the population & businesses created increased demand for police patrol. 1838: Law passed permitting day patrol. City had a Day Police and a Night Watch, which operated completely independently of one another. 1854: Boston Police Department established, structured after the model developed by Sir Robert Peeler. 1858: Telegraph system completed, linking central office and police stations.

17. 1861: White cotton gloves worn by the officers for the first time. Thereafter, "full uniform" included the wearing of such gloves. 1872: The Great Boston Fire of November 9 and 10 which destroyed 776 buildings. The fire was discovered by a patrolman who was chasing boys on Lincoln Street. 1873: First mounted patrol established. 1903; First motor patrol wagon placed in service – a Stanley Streamer touring car operated by a chauffeur; the police officer sat on higher seat so that he could look over area’s back fences.

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