Evolution of Policing

Political Era of Policing

1840

This era took took place from 1840-1930. Major cities came up with police agencies mid to late 1800’s.

The abolition of slavery

1865

Police and political organizations had strong connections, which led to major corruption. Policing worked under politicians, who controlled what they could and could not do while on duty. In addition, women could not be police officers. Black officers began to get hired.

Richard Sylvester

1915

President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Sylvester worked on reducing the power that politicians had over police by reforming the systems in police departments. Added fingerprinting, formed a police academy with military drills and training.
He also introduced new standardized procedures for interrogations and arrests.

“Professional Era” of Policing

1929

This era is part of the reform era. Here, corruption became huge. Police officers would participate in illegal activities .
Police Chief August Vollmer became an advocate for progressive reforms, attempting to change citizens view of police as professionals and not “thugs”.
Vollmer was the creator of the first college course in Policing.

Reform Era of Policing

1930

Activists attempted to separate policing from politics. They decided that building a nonpartisan police force and switching up how police officers operate was the way to go.

Red Scare

1950

American officials constantly warned the public in the early 1950s to be alert of Communist infiltration in their lives. Communists could be hiding anywhere, using their positions as educators, academics, labor activists, creative professionals, or journalists to advance the agenda of global Communist dominance. 

Turbulent Times

1960

Officers were viewed as being biased. The reputation of police personnel was harmed by violent police acts, which significantly decreased public trust in the police. The public saw police attacking peaceful civil rights protesters.
American Society were protesting about sensitive issues.

The 1970’s

1970

Police departments began to work on their image. Police began to patrol communities using less cars and walk around, making themselves visible to the public. They also began to solve crimes with the help of community members.

The 1980s

1980

Policing took one step further and created the community policing. This would assign officers to designated areas and would be responsible for that area during their duty. This would also give officers the opportunity to learn the community on personal levels.

9/11

2001

The September 11 attacks, also known as the 9/11 attacks, were a string of hijackings of airplanes and suicide bombings against American targets carried out in 2001 by 19 militants linked to the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda. They were the deadliest terrorist attacks ever to take place on American soil. The attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C. resulted in a great deal of loss and destruction and led to a massive American commitment to fight terrorism.