Over the years, the debate on whether the Department of Law Enforcement in U.S. should be centralized or not continues to be a contentious issue. Both centralized and decentralized forms of administration have their own advantages as well as disadvantages. The U.S. currently has a decentralized police administration structure, which has received equal measure of admiration as well as criticism. As a member of Congress, my staff assistant’s proposal to nationalize law enforcement throughout the United States brings with it meaningful insights which need to be analyzed before coming up with an informed conclusion. This essay will therefore analyze some of the benefits of such a proposal, as well as the shortcomings, not forgetting how different groups will perceive it.
Undesirable Consequences of Nationalizing Law Enforcement
To begin with, a centralized law enforcement department will be somewhat be distant from the community.
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This will lead to accountability problems whereby the police can misuse the public funds. The public need to have their say on police operations in order to promote efficiency. (Gaines & Worrall, 2011) Consequently, anarchy can arise within the department whereby the police can engage in corruption activities, abuse of power and indiscipline as the public is not holding them accountable as much as it should be. Another crucial problem will be exploitation and manipulation from the central government. Since a centralized police department will be receiving funds and other resources from the national government, the political leaders at the top of the federal government might start using their influence and power to manipulate police operations.
Positive Aspects Nationalizing Law Enforcement
The proposal to centralize law enforcement depart is not all disadvantageous as it has some benefits that come with
Would a national police force working in the United States of America. Yes, a national police force would work in the United States, just in all the other countries that have been doing it for years the thought is possible. However, I think the question should be would the American People benefit from a one agency police force lead by the government to service and protect them. Which would mean that all fifty states would have to changes all their state laws to read a one. Then do not forget about the city ordinance that municipality have to contend with and inforce, all that would be gone.
Unfortunately, the financial trend that has been seen in policing will likely continue for the foreseeable future, which will not only limit the ability to confront these new critical issues, but will likely exacerbate them as well (Police Executive, 2013). It is also foreseeable that new state efforts to combat their overall economic struggles will serve as a critical issue with adverse policing affects as well. More and more states continue to modify their early release policies, putting criminals back onto the streets sooner and in greater numbers than ever before, which has caused
Undoubtedly the thought of a National Police Force in the U.S. seems somewhat intimidating and not something American society would willingly accept, but, in reviewing countries such as England, France, Germany, and Israel, there appear to be some advantages to such a centralized force. While we appreciate the freedom of localized law enforcement whether police, sheriff or otherwise, the lack of a consistent standardized operating procedure for all agencies creates issues in the implementation/administering of the law as seen in recent months. While it would seem the cons of a national police force would outweigh that of the pros, it is worth taking into consideration when we look at those countries that have implemented such systems and have
Changes in structure: The government is use to operating within a certain structure and with unification will come changes in structure for both the county and city governments. Under consolidation there will be fewer elected officials than normal along with an elected executive. This hybrid could bring about difficulties for both jurisdictions.
The increase of the municipal system, and having standards for such systems is why the police departments are like it is not. From centuries and centuries of having vague ideas about what the police officers do and why the police offers are doing what they do, the unification of the police department is just would change how we answer those questions. In the United States southern region, their use of the policing departments was similar to the north but had some dissimilar roots or causes for the change in the various cities policing departments. Reformation of the police department from very scattered policy of ideas to a nationwide acceptance of the various roots in the basic police department is revolution of the police
But centralization did not solve the problem of corruption, and it added the problem of inefficiency, because the bureaucracy was not capable of responding to the individual needs of different neighborhoods. “The reflexive solution to every police problem was more centralization and stronger controls,” according to criminologist George Kelling. But as the years went on, centralization became an end in itself, and even chiefs who wanted to make changes could not, for fear that they would be labeled soft on corruption.
On the local and state levels of policing, for they are similar in organization and management. The federal level of
This study will analyze the history law enforcement reform in the past 25 years. This situations that have led to public out cry for police reform
The public would loose respect for the force, and therefore loose part of the authority they have which in turn would make policing in the area harder. Self discipline: It is important that a good level of self discipline is maintained. This
American Policing agencies have significantly changed since September 11, 2001, in a new age of international terrorism. American police departments agencies at all levels are now required to train for an increased amount of time and resources for possible terrorist attacks and to gathering the intelligence necessary to keep with the ongoing threats. Several police agencies have dedicating resources officers prepared for terrorist attacks and who gather information to head off possible risks. Local police often have to prevent, plan, and respond to medical, evacuations and security events which they did not have to in the past. Policing is commonly used to secure community event and increase patrols in worship places and other landmarks that
What are the strengths and weaknesses of leaving the primary responsibility for police protection to local governments versus the federal or state government?
1. Identify and discuss the eight (8) recurring reasons that change occurs in law enforcement agencies.
In this paper I would be identifying, compare, and contrast the policing function at the local, state, and federal organizational levels. I would be Analyzing how the organizational, management, administration, and operational functions at these three organizational levels are similar or different and why. Also I would be identifying the leadership characteristics and responsibilities pertaining to each organizational level.
Law enforcement agencies in the United States reliance on the paramilitary structure model of the industrial and manufacturing era has become increasingly outdated and ineffective (Batts, Smoot, & Scrivner, 2012). Despite the change law enforcement agencies remain slow to adapt to
This English method also contributed three features: limited police authority, local control of the police agency, and a fragmented system of law enforcement (Walker, 1983). A fragmented system of law enforcement is very evident today. The United States currently has approximately 15,000 different police agencies. These individual police agencies are subject to little coordination with minimal national regulation (Walker, 1983).