The Police in America - Book Report/Review Example

Book review: The Police in America Book review: The Police in America The content of this book outlines the broad function ofthe American police. The book has four parts, which include police history and organization, police operations, critical issues in the police sector, and personal side of policing. The authors outline various functions of the American police and various challenges that they face during their daily duties. This paper will offer a detailed review of the topics discussed in the book. History of police According to these authors, the development of American policing closely began after England policing. The early policing colonies took two different forms. The tradition policing of the United States was both communal (watch system) and informal. Dempsey and Forst assert that the law and criminal justice system of the United States originated from the English. Therefore, much work of this book concentrates on the experience of the English police. According to the content of this part, one of the main aims of establishing the police sector was to organize security in America. One of the core founders of American police department was Sir Robert Peel. The first police department in America was established in the year 1829 purposely to ensure security in the country. Sir Robert Peel is referred to as the father of modern policing in this book. The personal side of policing Part two of this book discusses the personal side of policing. Due to the current law enforcement, the police officers carry out many responsibilities that put them in stressful situations, forcing them to address some tough decisions. The working environments in which police officers operate in highly determines how severe these challenges affect their wellbeing as well as policing duties. Every American police officer is given the right to judge any situation. This judgment determines whether a suspect should be arrested, cited, or warned. All the situational factors should be investigated when this discretion is used. Such factors include the significance of the crime, suspect’s attitude, preference, and position of the suspect among many others. Police officers are likely to have a common goal when ridding their crimes. Although this objective resides within the community residents’ wishes, there happens to be always a negative aspect for police officers. Some actions of police officers in America seem to be rude, abusive, as well as racist. This “bad fact” makes most people to have little trust with their law enforcement institutions. This has also resulted in lost corporation between citizens and law enforcement officers. The authors of this book argue that, the behaviour in which the law enforcement officers carry out their duties is their discretion. Police operations In this part, the authors discuss in details five major operations of the American police. These operations include patrol operations, investigations, community policing, and police officers and the law. To begin with, patrol police officers are organized and managed by the corporals and sergeants who supervise the officers’ shifts and processes. American police patrols all urban and residential facilities to ensure that the residents enjoy top security. The patrol officers provide security escorts for residents on urban centers, especially in places where there are many cases of insecurity. Secondly, the role of investigation police officers is to carry out critical investigations for a criminal crime suspect. They carry out these investigations to determine whether there is enough evidence to arrest the suspect and whether the suspect really committed the crime. Thirdly, the other operation of police officers is community policing. Community policing officers play the role of ensuring that there is quality security in the communities they operate. Lastly, it is the role of the police officers to understand the law and the constitution deeply. The authors have elaborated these operations in details explaining the challenges the police officers face while undertaking these duties. The authors assert that, police officers are the most affected civil servants when it comes to working environment harmful risks. Due to the current law enforcement, the police officers carry out many responsibilities that put them in stressful situations forcing them to address some tough decisions. In addition, the working environments in which police officers operate in highly determines how severe these challenges affect their wellbeing as well as policing duties. Critical issues in policing Dempsey and Forst highlight some of the major critical issues in American policing department such as computers, criminalistics, technology, and homeland security. The authors assert that, the government should ensure that the policing departments are well equipped with advanced technologies such as computers for security purposes. However, the use of advanced technologies such as improved firearms has marked a significant improvement in the policing department of the United States. With these digital technologies, police officers are able to track criminals using tracking devices such as mobile phones. According to the authors, police agencies in the current society play a vital role in serving and protecting the public of America. The number of the police agencies currently serving in the United States is approximately 15,000. The police departments in the United States are currently facing similar critical issues. Almost all law enforcement officers face similar dangers while on duty, which originate from both external and internal origins. The police departments have tried to serve the citizens with other appropriate alternatives when it comes to weapons. Additionally, all the police departments have put much effort in trying to keep up with the current technologies to assist in storing necessary information as well as acquisition. Homeland security department in the United States was established to help Federal, Local, and State law enforcement organizations with sharing of information to avoid linkages, which resulted in some of the past attacks in the United States. The policing department in United States has made some significant pushes to make law enforcement more efficient in terms of information access as well as police officers and suspects’ safety. In conclusion, the content of this book is almost similar to the book currently being read in class. This is a very helpful book for students who are pursuing the unit of American police. Reference Dempsey, J. S., & Forst, L. S. (2013). Police. Clifton Park, NY: Delmar Cengage Learning. Read More