The Eras of Policing: Political, Reform, and Community Problem-Solving

Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure execution of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient.

“The ability of the police to perform their duties depends upon public approval of their action.”

(2) The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.

The roles, responsibilities, and styles of policing in the United States have changed dramatically since the first “era” of policing was established in 1840. Until recently, there were only three established eras of policing: The Political Era, Reform Era and Community Era. We are now in a fourth era- the New Era. All of these eras are reflections of evolution amongst law enforcement officers, as well as political figures of their times. The roles and styles of policing have been a never-ending topic of change, which has grown to fit the demands of the public. Each new era has been born out the desire to make the United States as safe as possible given an evolving climate of

Its also important for police to know how to control rebellious members of the public to maintain police legitimacy, this is a ‘litmus’ test for law enforcement, Mccluskey, Mastrofski and Parks (1999). This maintaining of legitimacy is best when not just using threats Tyler(1997), which may even provoke the public if they are constantly threatened. This compliance law enforcement get with the public to follow the law is important when they are and are not present Mastrofski, Snipes, and Supina(1996). Its also crucial that people also follow the law because they choose to Easton(1975). The police can 't do this by themselves they don 't have the resources to do that so they rely on public cooperation in crime prevention by citizens reporting crime and other supporting actions Sampson, Raudenbush, and Earls(1997). It 's important for the community to see the police as legitimate which can enhance their cooperation. When the public use this can improve the amount of cooperation they give Sherman(1993).

Public policing has always been known as the frontline in protecting the society and one of their major assets is the public’s

During the 1950s-1970s, police officers were setting forth policing strategies that are now known as “traditional policing” (FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, 2004). Traditional policing has been characterized as a method of responding to crime after it is committed. Over the years, major changes began making their way into the law enforcement field that affected the way that police officers did their job, like radios being put into the vehicles. With the constant changing methods of policing, some people in law enforcement refused to believe in what is defined traditional policing.

Societies expect police officers to perform certain duties and there are several ways agencies have tried accomplish these goals. The outcomes that are most generally expected of an agency are:

Members of the community as well as law enforcement have a mutual influence on one another. The ability of the police to function as an effective service is often predicated on the positive image they maintain with the general public (Wentz & Schlimgen, 2012). In order for police to function in the most efficient way a positive relationship with the community is of the up most Importance.

Due to the ever-changing political climate and needs of the community, policing models frequently change (McElvain, Kposowa, & Gray 2012, 1). During the periods of enactment, numerous policing models served specific purposes but would quickly become outdated due to research or differing approaches to problem solving. Researchers McElvan, Kposowa, and Gray introduce a number of past policing models that have become outdated. Introduced around the mid-1900s the Professional model sought to fight corruption within the police culture and asked officers to gather facts and nothing more. The effectiveness of the strategy was based upon crime statistics and response times to calls (Ibid, 1). Over the years, policing models have gone through periods of evolution and reform, leading to the establishment of numerous modes by either law enforcement agencies or universities. In time, the Professional model was transformed by public criticism of the police being out of touch with the public they were serving. The new model required a different approach-one that humanized police officers.

The functions of police agencies are complex. Law enforcement agencies are charged with upholding public order and the peace. Society has largely viewed law enforcement as crime fighters. Due to these social perceptions, law enforcement has often taken on this mindset. At times, this has led to police action that has violated the constitutional rights of the individuals they have encountered. Although police practices retain a considerable

The profession of law enforcement has evolved into an era of proactive and preventative policing. The law enforcement community has entered this new era by means of better communication and technology to help track crime and to help create better policing strategies. Police must have the support of the community, agencies and organizations to create public safety. In reaction to recent events that have created tension between law enforcement and members of the community, President Obama signed an Executive Order which created a task force to analyze the distrust the community holds towards law enforcement and ways to restructure 21st century policing styles. Federal, state, local, tribal officials, subject matter experts, community leaders, and representatives of organizations engaged through public hearings, meetings and written communications. The Task Force held seven public listening sessions, heard from over 100 witnesses, and has developed 59 recommendations and dozens of specific action items. Members of the Task Force are confident that these recommendations for action and further study will bring long-term improvements to the ways in which law enforcement agencies interact with and bring positive change to their communities. I support many of the pillar recommendations presented by the task force but I am hesitant to see how law enforcement leaders will enact these changes correctly in their communities and err on the side of caution in regards to implementing

Preventative and collaborative measures, as described in the community policing model, are necessary to facilitate change. Although law enforcement officers are doing their jobs to the best of their ability, the time has come when another layer of support is a necessity. To be successful in the reduction of crime, law enforcement agencies need to enlist the resources of the community. Together this partnership can provide the comprehensive approach defined by the community policing model. A 2003 Department of Justice survey revealed 58% of all law enforcement agencies used full time community policing officers (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2012).

Besides, the U.S. established its community policing organizations based on the Peelian principles (Das & Verma, 2003). Most policing organizations have formulated the ethical behaviors expected of the public and law enforcement based on these principles. Finally, modern technology has necessitated the need to make sure that the community, the police, and law enforcement conform to Peel’s principles and other policing recommendations.

Of the 62,280 individuals who participated in the NCVS, more than half, 49,246 completed the PPCS. The survey went into greater details in regards to police behavior, response, and contact time. The purpose of the study was to demonstrate whether the public was satisfied with interaction with police officers as well as the outcome of the requested police assistance. In a qualitative approach to research on police legitimacy, Harkins (2015, p. 602) provided a better historical background into specific relationship between police officers and citizens than what had previously been discovered in police legitimacy research. The research included the observation of police-public consultation forums, constructed to help create new community policing policies, and the consecutive interviewing of over 40 participants. The author found legitimacy varies a lot within the police, judgments of the police are often not based on personal or direct encounters, and that views on the police can often the imported from other territories and nations (Harkin, 2015, p. 602). Koster et. al. (2017, p. 205) used their study to build on prior research in three ways. Firstly, it expands upon a victim’s perception of procedural justice by including observations of police performance and how they