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“The police are the public and the public are the police”

“The police are the public and the public are the police”. The history and Structure of Law enforcement in the united states. Where did the idea of an organized police force first come from? HINT: It was the same place where America got most of its initial culture ENGLAND!!.

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“The police are the public and the public are the police”

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  1. “The police are the public and the public are the police” The history and Structure of Law enforcement in the united states

  2. Where did the idea of an organized police force first come from? • HINT: It was the same place where America got most of its initial culture ENGLAND!! Roots of American Law Enforcement

  3. Roots of American Law Enforcement • Earliest police force • By the 1700s, London—one of the largest cities in the world—didn’t have an organized law enforcement system • Only time gov’t got involved with crime was to stop riots • Military was sent in to deal with rioters • Weren’t good when it came to not killing people—either too rough or too reserved • The townspeople’s taxes paid soldiers’ salaries • This tended to make people angry & not trust armed organizations that could restrict their freedom • Citizens resisted police—afraid if there was one, authorities would abuse it for their own ends

  4. Swords & Scalpels • “The army is a broadsword, not a scalpel—you do not want the army in an American city” • What does this quote mean? • Why might people use this argument to claim that there is a need for a police force?

  5. Roots of American Law Enforcement • Sir Robert “Bobbie” Peel • First man to come up with effective “scalpel”-type policing organization to fight crime in cities • Purpose was to: • Reduce tension & conflict between officers and the public • Use nonviolent means to keep peace (“bobbies”, or British police, were not armed); violence was last resort • Relieve military of controlling urban violence • Be judged on absence of crime, not high-profile police action • His model was adopted in London in 1829, and was so successful that eventually the rest of England and the U.S. decided to follow it

  6. Early American Policing • Early American Policing Timeline • In early U.S. (1801), Boston was the first city to have a formal night watch—but that was all it did • 32 years later, Philadelphia was the first city to have both day and night watchmen • 5 years later, Boston, because of the same pressures London had been facing, formed the first organized police department based on Robert Peel’s model • After 6 more years passed, New York City created a model for modern police forces when it combined night and day watches under the authority of a single police chief • At the start of the Civil War (17 years later), most major U.S. cities—Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and New Orleans—had similar police departments based on London’s & NYC’s

  7. Problems with Early American Policing • The Spoils System • While most police worked hard and wanted to serve the public good, policing in 1800s was horrible • Why? • This was called the “Political Era” of policing because police were hired and promoted only if they did what wealthy, corrupt politicians wanted • Most cops didn’t make much money, so they were usually willing to take bribes • This was called the “spoils system”—based on the phrase “to the victor go the spoils” • Unfortunately, this system made police work more for their political bosses than for the public • Politicians even told police not to arrest potential voters

  8. The Reform Era in American Policing • The Wickersham Commission • Even though people knew about abuses, they continued until this commission was created in 1929 by Herbert Hoover • This was a response to Prohibition’s huge jump in the crime rate • Recommended reforms to fix: • Police brutality • “The corrupting influence of politics” • Led to Reform Era in U.S. policing (1930-1980)

  9. The Reform Era in American Policing • Reforms caused by commission: • Raised standards for hiring • More educated cops; degrees became required in some areas • Better training • Centralized police administration (less influence from politicians) • Chiefs could now hire assistant chiefs to keep a closer eye on local cops and try out new strategies to fight crime • Set up special units (vice, traffic) that worked across precincts • More use of technology • Automobiles • Forensic scientists • Radio communications • Fingerprinting

  10. The Reform Era in American Policing • Problems with the Reform Era • While the Reform Era did bring positive changes up through the 1950s, there were problems in the 1960s • Police often overreacted to antiwar & civil rights demonstrations • Police didn’t cause the problems (usually), but their responses didn’t help • People started trusting and respecting police less

  11. The Community Era in American Policing • Community Policing • Started in 1968, with government act that gave police depts. funds to create programs to bring cops & communities closer • Summer recreation activities for inner-city kids run by police • “Officer-friendly” referral programs that encouraged people to come to police with their personal concerns about crime

  12. The Community Era in American Policing • Community policing takes off in 1980s • Why? • Crime wave in 1970s • Police response is initially REACTIVE: strategies focus on reducing how long it takes cops to react to crimes • When this doesn’t work, decide to use PROACTIVE strategies: prevent crime before it happens by going after root causes • Community policing was seen to help with this because if police and public have better relations, public will help police more to prevent and fight crime • Do you agree with this view? • Which do you think was the most important era in shaping American policing? Why?

  13. Policing, From the Bottom Up The 3 levels of law enforcement in the U.S.

  14. An estimated 500 people descended on Morristown this afternoon for dueling protests on illegal immigration and immigrants' rights. Protesters grew more vocal as the afternoon wore on, with both sides waiting for Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello to take the stage. Police outfitted in riot gear with helmets, batons and pepper spray surrounded the stage, while a line of reinforcements arrived to barricade South Street. Police officers removed a female protester from the grounds of town hall . The protester opposes deputizing local police officers as immigration agents, and tried to damage amplifiers on the opposing side’s stage. Local Law Enforcement

  15. Local Law Enforcement • 2 types • Municipal Law Enforcement • Sheriffs & County Law Enforcement • Both have wide range of responsibilities • Responsibilities overlap in certain areas • But there are important distinctions (see next slide)

  16. Local Law Enforcement Municipal (Town, City) County • In charge: Chiefs • Appointed to job (problems?) • Can do the most of all law enforcement agencies • Duties range from taking care of noise complaints to investigating homicide • Responsible for traffic laws • Many feel local (municipal & county) police are too underpaid because of all these responsibilities • In charge: Sheriffs • Elected to job (problems?) • Main tasks • Maintaining county jail • Collecting taxes • Keep order in court • Search & Rescue • Enforcing Law in non-municipal areas • Coroners are also county level

  17. An Aberdeen man was hospitalized in critical condition this afternoon after he was struck by a car as he tried to walk across the Garden State Parkway in Sayreville, authorities said. State Law Enforcement

  18. State Law Enforcement • Initially created for 4 reasons: • Assist local agencies that had a lack of resources/training • Investigate criminal activities that cross over different parts of the state • Provide law enforcement for areas without local or county police • Break strikes and control labor movements • Which of these tasks are still performed today? • First state police? • TEXAS RANGERS! (1835)

  19. State Law Enforcement • Only 23 states officially have state police • Others have different divisions that perform similar duties • Highway patrol • State Bureau of Investigation • State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs • Many states now believe that some areas of law enforcement need more attention • These states have created Limited-Purpose Law Enforcement Agencies

  20. State Law Enforcement • Limited-Purpose Law Enforcement Agencies • Most states have an Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) • Monitors sale, distribution, & taxation of alcohol • Responsible for revoking liquor licenses • Fish and game warden organizations • Regulate hunting & fishing • Motor Vehicle Compliance (MVC) agencies • Monitor trucks, weigh stations • Others regulate white-collar & computer crimes, nursing homes, train local police

  21. The FBI today arrested a Pentagon official and two Chinese-born residents on espionage charges for passing defense secrets to China, the Justice Department announced. Gregg William Bergersen, 51, of Alexandria, was arrested at his home on espionage charges. Tai ShenKuo, a Taiwan-born U.S. citizen, 58, and Yu Xin Kang, a Chinese national, 33, both of New Orleans, were arrested in New Orleans on charges of conspiracy to provide defense secrets to China. Mr. Bergersen worked as a weapons system analyst for the Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in Arlington, which is in charge of U.S. arms sales to foreign nations. He held a top-secret clearance. Federal Law Enforcement

  22. Federal Law Enforcement • There are 3 main branches: • Department of Justice • Department of Homeland Security • Department of Treasury

  23. Federal Law Enforcement • Department of Justice • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) • Created in 1908 to stop political and business corruption • Priorities were recently reworked after terrorist attacks • Terrorism • Organized Crime • Foreign Intelligence Operations in the U.S. • Cybercrime • Federal Drug Offenses • White-Collar Crime • 28,000 employees • $5 billion budget • Has network of agencies in U.S. and outside U.S.

  24. Federal Law Enforcement • Department of Justice (cont.) • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) • Mission: enforce domestic drug laws and help other federal and foreign agencies stop manufacture and trade of illegal drugs on international level • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives (ATF) • Mission: fight illegal sale, possession, and use of firearms & explosives and untaxed alcohol & tobacco; also enforces federal gambling laws • U.S. Marshals Service • Oldest federal L.E. agency—started by George Washington in 1789 • Provide security at federal courts • Control property seized by federal government • Protect government witnesses (relocation) • Track down federal fugitives

  25. Federal Law Enforcement • After 9/11, there was criticism of Justice Department • Wasn’t good enough for new threats of terrorism • Government’s solution to this problem?

  26. Federal Law Enforcement • Department of Homeland Security • Directorate of Customs & Border Security (2 parts): • Customs & Border Protection (CBP) • Monitors people and goods moving between U.S., Canadian, & Mexican borders; includes Border Patrol • In 2004, seized $2.6 billion in illegal drugs & caught 50,000 illegal immigrants smuggled across borders • Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) • Enforces laws for customs and immigration inside U.S. • Customs Service • Main purpose is to prevent smuggling of contraband (anything that’s unlawful to produce or possess) while also keeping country secure

  27. Federal Law Enforcement • Secret Service • Created in 1865 to primarily stop counterfeiting • Later came to be responsible for protecting President & family, VP, President-elect, people running for President, & former Presidents

  28. Federal Law Enforcement • Department of Treasury • Formed in 1789 • Responsible for government’s finances • Largest Bureau: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) • IRS has 3 divisions; only one does criminal investigations • Investigates cases of tax fraud & tax evasion • Can make arrests • Plays an important role in policing selling drugs and gambling—Why? • People who do this can’t report their income! • This is how Al Capone got caught

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