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b. Law Enforcement in Colonial America, 1600s-1700s
During the colonial era, policing in America was informal and decentralized, relying on night watchmen, county sheriffs, and town constables to maintain order. These positions were typically temporary civic duties rather than professional law enforcement roles. Their duties included tax collection, maintaining order, and managing the local jail.
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a. The English Heritage
The roots of American policing can be traced back to English traditions like the Anglo-Saxon watch system and parish constables. The Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 established one of the first modern police forces in London, which influenced later policing models in the United States. This English heritage laid the foundation for the structure and practices of early American law enforcement.
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d. The "Political Era" in American Policing, 1830s--1900
During the late 19th century, policing in America became deeply intertwined with political machines and rampant corruption. Police departments were often staffed based on political patronage rather than merit, and officers frequently engaged in bribery, brutality, and other misconduct. The policing led to public outcry and calls for major reforms to professionalize law enforcement.
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c. The First Modern American Police
In the major American cities like Boston, New York, and Philadelphia established the first modern municipal police departments, inspired by the London Metropolitan Police. These early police forces were centralized, uniformed organizations focused on crime prevention and Social Control in urban areas. The formation of these departments marked a shift towards professional, full-time policing in the United States.
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e. The Professional Era, 1900--1960
In response to the issues of the Political Era, the early 20th century saw a movement towards professionalizing American police forces. This included establishing police academies for standardized training, developing formal policies and procedures, and embracing new technologies like radios and automobiles. Leaders like O.W. Wilson championed this professional model.
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f. The Police Crises of the 1960s
The 1960s represented a crisis period that challenged traditional policing practices in America. The civil rights movement, urban riots, and anti-war protests exposed issues like police brutality and discrimination, sparking public criticism. Events like the Watts Riots and harsh crackdowns on peaceful demonstrations undermined trust in law enforcement and catalyzed further calls for reform.
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g. New Developments, 1970s-Present
Since the 1970s, American policing has undergone significant strategic and technological shifts in response to previous crises. Community policing models aimed to build better public relations, while CompStat and predictive analytics used data to guide deployments. Police also adopted less-lethal weapons, body-worn cameras, and computer databases to modernize operations and increase accountability.
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h. National Police Crisis, 2014-Present
A new national crisis has erupted around policing issues like use of force, racial profiling, and lack of accountability. High-profile incidents of police killings of minorities sparked protests by movements like Black Lives Matter. There have been calls for agencies to implement reform policies around training and community relations.
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i. Future Era- The Enlightened Policing Model
This era will prioritize de-escalation, crisis intervention, and community cooperation over militaristic tactics. Police training will focus on emotional intelligence, implicit bias awareness, and ethical decision-making to reduce use of force and strengthen community trust. Advanced technologies like body-worn cameras, less-lethal weapons, and predictive analytics will be fully implemented to increase transparency, accountability, and effective deployment, while safeguarding civil liberties.