The evolution of American police forces from reactive to proactive institutions

¶ … Lessons of Police Force

A History of the United States Police Force

The story of the American experience is one of principled laws that reflect the values of our society. Laws establish the boundaries of permissible conduct that guides particular aspects of interactions between individuals. While the military is generally tasked with countering large scale and organized external threats, the modern police force accomplishes the bulk of maintaining order and security at the local level.

The history of the police force demonstrates three primary themes illustrating that its duties are both reactive and proactive, the size and scope of the organization is an adaptation of the local community, and the unique role in upholding justice entails a greater expectation of virtuous conduct. Recognizing the themes that characterize the history of the police force demonstrate that the future will encompass change, yet the guiding principles of the past enhance us with the wisdom to adapt while avoiding previous errors.

From Ad Hoc to Permanent Force

Just as the story of America is one of a nation emerging from a sparsely populated wilderness frontier to a complex, yet organized, society of laws, so too is the evolution of the police force that upholds our customs. British settlers and colonial rule ensured that many systems of the old world were assimilated into the emerging society of the new world. The local sheriff represented the nation's first form of law enforcement, and was a direct transplant of Great Britain (Sabeth). Additionally, night watches represented an ad hoc response to ensuring the safety of people and property from intermittent threats. Both the night watches and sheriffs were primarily reactive, and charged with fighting crime as it materialized.

As cities grew from clusters of settled farms and rural villages, so did disruptions and threats to peace, and a need was recognized for a more permanent and proactive response. In 1833, the city of Philadelphia formed the nation's first police department to address both the reactive and proactive needs of large and complex cities (Walker & Katz, 2008).

Reactive to Proactive

The establishment of the first police departments represented a fundamental shift in function, in which the reactive task of fighting crime was no longer the primary objective. The fact that the police force was now responsive 24 hours a day enhanced its capabilities to not only respond after crimes were committed, but the mere public presence of officers served a peace keeping role to deter crime and reinforce local customs. The police force retained the duty to fight crime, however the function was enlarged to encompass "law enforcement."

Enforcing the law has grown to be the primary duty of the police, with fighting crime accounting for just 19% of their time (Walker & Katz, 2008, p. 7).

Lessons of the Past, Wisdom for the Future

In summary, understanding of the principles that guided the evolution of the police force recognizes that the organization serves multiple functions within the community. Recognizing that the local police force must fit the diverse and evolving norms, technology, and laws of the communities it serves ensures both its relevance and respect. The duties of the police to fight crime and uphold laws are enabled by the capability of certain officer citizens to use force. The unique sanction that the use of force represents to local police officers is paralleled by the quote from Voltaire as, "with great power comes great responsibility," (Answers.com, 2012). Countering corruption within the police force maintains public trust, as well as ensuring that the role in upholding justice is applicable to all citizens.