Evolution of Policing in America: Past, Present, and Future Trends

The Past

Policing in the United States has its roots in English methods. Often the constable or sheriff in an area would gather a group of residents to search for criminals or form a protective force against crime. These residents were not considered law enforcement but worked under the guidance of the appointed sheriff. In England, Sir Robert Peel was instrumental in developing community policing. He believed that police could enforce the law and keep communities safe without being intrusive to citizens (Larrabee, November 2007). He believed in preventative patrolling, maintaining that officers visible in the community would discourage criminals from committing crimes and thus make the community safer for all. These methods were brought to the United States and implemented in cities. In more rural areas, however, there was often not a large enough population to necessitate a police force. It was not uncommon for a region to have one sheriff who traveled between small towns or oversaw large areas with only the help of residents in times of crisis. Community policing in these areas often amounted to vigilante justice and self-appointed posses to locate, capture, and dispense justice.

The 1920s saw Prohibition and the rise of police corruption (Prohibition, 2008). Local patrol officers were paid by operators of speakeasies to turn a blind eye to the operation of these illegal clubs. When local officers were reluctant, bribes were given to higher ranking officials to ensure the clubs could continue operating. During this period, organized crime grew and was often behind the bribery of law enforcement officials. Organized crime quickly became a new challenge for officers as they had to deal with groups of criminals that worked together to run businesses and commit crimes without fear of retaliation due to bribes to police and government officials.

Organized crime groups in the past were a problem comparable to the terrorists seen today. Both threaten the way of life for average citizens; terrorists of course have a much broader reach and can cause much more damage, but at the time the threat was more serious than any previously experienced, due in large part to the number of members of the organizations and the high level to which corruption extended. Until the attack on Pearl Harbor, no enemy of the United States had carried out an attack on U.S. soil, so the focus of law enforcement was on local or regional criminals.

Introduction

Policing in the United States has come a long way from a single sheriff responsible for upholding the law in a remote town. Law enforcement officers were often hired by the mayor or town council with little or no official training and provided their own equipment, usually just a handgun. This scenario was more common in small towns with just a sheriff or constable, while larger cities followed traditional English examples for law enforcement utilizing sheriffs, constables, and night watchmen (Law Enforcement Career Tips.com, 2015). Today the requirements are much more stringent. In New York, for example, applicants must be at least 21 years old and pass drug, medical, and psychological testing, as well as extensive background and character checks. Additionally, an applicant must have either 60 college credit hours or two years of active duty in the military with an honorable discharge. Most agencies also require candidates to pass a written exam and complete their own police academy (Criminal Justice Degree Schools, 2015). In the future, it is reasonable to expect that requirements will increase further in the areas of education and psychological testing. By examining where policing started and where it is now, it is possible to predict what the future could hold for law enforcement.