CJ 205 Module Five Practice Activity

CJ 205 Module Five Practice Activity Template History of Policing in America Erin Halpin July 28, 2023 American Policing: The Colonial Experience American Policing: Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries American Policing: Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries The North: The Watch The establishment of watchmen and constables in cities like Boston and New York during the 17th and 18th centuries to maintain order and enforce local laws. As the colonies moved towards independence, the Continental Congress created the first unified police force, the United States Marshals Service in 1789, to uphold federal laws and maintain stability. The Urban Experience The development of modern municipal police forces. In the early 1800s, cities like Boston and New York established organized police departments to address rising crime rates and maintain order within rapidly growing urban populations. These early police forces adopted a professionalized approach with the use of uniforms, patrols, and centralized authority, marking a significant shift from the informal watchmen and constable systems of the colonial era. Policing from 1900 to 1960 The implementation of professional police training and the adoption of scientific crime investigation techniques, such as fingerprint analysis. During this period, law enforcement also faced significant challenges related to organized crime, Prohibition, civil rights movements, and the growing emphasis on community-oriented policing approaches, which sought to build trust and collaboration between police and the communities they served. The South: Slave Patrols and Codes The establishment of slave patrols, which were organized groups tasked with maintaining control over enslaved populations and preventing slave revolts. These patrols operated with broad powers and contributed to the oppressive enforcement of slave codes and racial segregation. Local sheriffs and constables played a significant role in enforcing plantation owners' interests and preserving the existing social order. The Southern Experience Slave patrols were instrumental in enforcing oppressive laws and maintaining control over enslaved populations, perpetuating racial discrimination and violence. The development of local sheriff offices and constabularies in the South played a crucial role in supporting the interests of the ruling elite, often prioritizing the protection of property and upholding the social order, including maintaining racial segregation during the Jim Crow era. Policing in the 1960s and 1970s The civil rights movement brought attention to issues of racial discrimination and police brutality, leading to increased scrutiny of law enforcement practices. The "War on Drugs" was launched in the 1970s, shaping policing strategies and leading to the militarization of some police departments. These decades also saw the establishment of specialized law enforcement units, such as SWAT teams, to respond to specific challenges and emergencies. No response required The Frontier Experience Policing in the 1980s and 1990s