History

Epi Garcia III

CJA/344

September 10, 2012

Instructor Michael Morlan

HISTORY American policing has undergone a series of reform-periods in response to immediate, pervasive social concerns, from its early development in the first half of the 19th century, to its shift toward depoliticizing and professionalism during the end of that century, culminating in the ongoing response to issues that demanded attention during the Civil Rights Era, and, which continue to remain prevalent. The basis for modern policing lies in the principles outlined in the 1820's, during a period of high crime, rioting, and economic instability, by Britain's then-Home Secretary, Robert Peel, who would later serve as Prime Minister (Bloy, 2002). His commonly referred to, "nine principles," became the structure for London's organized police force, refining its function, practices, and ideals in language both adaptable and explicit, appealing to notions of police productivity and effectiveness, also, over time, becoming a model for the rights of the accused and resultant law enforcement regulations and policies. The current conception of community-based policing, with focus directed toward police-community relations, is suggested in Peel's second, third, and seventh principles, detailing the importance of "public approval," "willing cooperation of the public," and maintaining a unifying relationship with the public, in mutual responsibility for law and order (Kooi, 2011). Historically, failure to adhere to Peel's principles has inspired occasions of public backlash, in the form of riots, reminiscent of the social climate that precipitated America's first police reform. The adoption of London-style policing in America was necessitated by organizational inadequacies, exposed during a period of unrest, similar to that of Britain in the 1820's, that was marked by frequent