American Policing - Essay Example

American policing American policing Initially political and professional policing was characterized by ity, professionalism, crime prevention and discretion. In this regard, the first era took place from 1840-1930, this was the political era. During this era, authority descended directly from the politicians and the law of the land, the extensive use of patrol, an intimate relationship with community and broad social service. The second era took place from 1930-1980 commonly known as reform or professional era where authority of the police force came from law and professionalism.

It was characterized by crime control, efficient organization, professional remoteness from the community, hiring of competent and qualified personnel in curbing police inefficiency, and it stressed on preventive rapid and motorized response to crime. Police officers standardized and routinized police work, officers were mandated to enforce law and make arrests whenever they could. Further, when specific problems arose, special police units such as tactical or juvenile were established to deal with the issues rather than giving problems to patrol officers (Cole & Smith, 2004).

These characteristics squared with those principles suggested by Robert Peel in that, they emphasized on the importance of preventing crime and disorder in society. In addition, during the professional era of policing, the stressed on the need of public approval to be efficient and effective which are in agreement with Robert’s tenets of policing. In addition, if the police used force in enforcing law and order, the degree of cooperation with the public declines. In addition, the police must obtain the willing cooperation of the people to respect and obey the law in order to get respect of the public.

Further, the police are allowed to apply force only after using all other means to get compliance from law breakers. Lastly, the police just like other members of the public too belong to the public who are discharging their service to secure the welfare of the society or public (Cole & Smith, 2004). Community oriented policing was created as a result of increase in crime. The community oriented policing brings government officials, community, professionals and neighborhood together to trace and solve problems within community and partner together to solve these problems.

The concept of community policing was created to reunite the community by reducing crime and fear in society. The interaction between the police and the community can help reduce fear and crime in society. Community policing helps members to identify suspects and report them to the police. The main reason as to why this strategy was developed is that it to help to eliminate criminal activities in society. In addition, community policing endorses organizational strategies that apply partnership and problem solving methods.

These strategies in turn assists in addressing conditions that lead to public safety issues such as social work, crimes and fear in society (Cole & Smith, 2004) Community oriented policing and problem solving is the culture of many police organizations. This unit was created in order to involve citizens in the resolution of neighborhood problems perceiving the public as part of their efforts in minimizing crime and disorder in society. They aimed at improving efficiency of police through crime mapping and crime prevention measures such as situational crime prevention.

The community oriented policing and problem solving is a four staged problem solving agency that aimed at scanning or identifying problem, analyzing the heart of problem solving, response to problems that have been identified and developing creative solution that will explain the problems and lastly, assessment in that evaluation of overall effectiveness is conducted which might include number of arrests, response times, citizens complaints, and several work load indicators. The community oriented policing and problem solving is characterized by analysis, scanning, response and assessment.

ReferencesCole, G., & Smith, C. (2004). The American System of Criminal Justice. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Wadsworth.Champion, D. (2002). Introduction to American Policing. New York: McGraw-Hill HumanitiesStevens, D.J. (2008). Introduction to American Policing. New York: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.