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Chapter 6: Policing

  • Page ID
    328893
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    • 6.1: Policing in Ancient Times
      This page explores two historical policing forms: kin policing, where tribes enforced laws leading to blood feuds, and urban cohorts, part of Augustus’ guard, aimed at city peace amid rising crime. The establishment of vigils addressed crime and fire hazards. Additionally, law enforcement faced challenges with volunteer reliance, leading to corruption, and the unequal access to private protection revealed societal disparities.
    • 6.2: Sir Robert Peel
      This page outlines how 19th-century England influenced U.S. policing, focusing on Sir Robert Peel, the father of modern policing. It describes his establishment of the first British police force through the Metropolitan Police Act in 1829 and how his ideas led to significant changes in policing practices, including the introduction of terms like 'bobbies.' These developments helped shape contemporary policing methods still in use today.
    • 6.3: Policing Eras
      This page outlines the evolution of policing in the U.S. across four key eras: the Political Era (1840s), characterized by corruption; the Reform Era (early 20th century), which emphasized professionalism and training; the Community Era (1980s-2000), focusing on collaboration to address rising crime; and the Homeland Security Era post-9/11, which transformed police operations and priorities.
    • 6.4: Levels of Policing and Role of Police
      This page covers career options in policing and law enforcement, detailing educational requirements for various government positions and distinguishing between commissioned officers and civilians. It discusses the structure of law enforcement agencies, emphasizing collaboration among local and federal entities to combat crime, including organized gang activity. Examples from the Medford Police and MADGE task force illustrate these efforts.
    • 6.5: Recruitment and Hiring in Policing
      This page provides an overview of law enforcement recruitment, emphasizing candidate assessments such as written tests, oral interviews, physical agility tests, and psychological evaluations. It discusses the structure of these assessments, the importance of background checks, and the role of assessment centers. Additionally, it addresses common candidate concerns and encourages critical thinking about the recruitment process, highlighting the importance of thorough preparation.
    • 6.6: Recruitment and Hiring Websites for Future Careers
      This page serves as a resource for individuals seeking careers in law enforcement, featuring links to recruitment sites for various agencies like the FBI, CIA, and local Oregon police departments. It outlines career opportunities at federal, state, county, and city levels, directing readers to official websites for detailed information on hiring processes and eligibility criteria.
    • 6.7: Police Misconduct, Accountability, and Corruption
      This page discusses corruption in policing, distinguishing between "meat eaters," who actively pursue personal gain, and "grass eaters," who passively accept benefits. It introduces "noble cause corruption," where officers rationalize unethical behaviors for a supposed greater good. The page highlights loyalty dynamics in police culture, the difficulties in measuring excessive force, and the importance of a strong internal affairs division for accountability.
    • 6.8: Current Issues- Police Shootings
      This page outlines the legal process regarding police use of deadly force, using the Michael Brown case as an example. After an investigation, officers may face a grand jury or coroner’s inquest to assess the justification of their actions. Unjustified use of force can lead to termination and criminal charges, including murder or manslaughter. The page also references a Chicago officer convicted of murder, underscoring the significant consequences of improper use of deadly force.
    • 6.9: Current Issues- Use of Force and Vehicle Pursuits
    • 6.10: Current Issues- Stereotypes in Policing
    • 6.11: Current Issues- Accountability
    • 6.12: Current Issues- Internal Affairs and Discipline
      This page explores the supervisory role in policing, centering on the management and discipline of officers regarding illegal activities. It underscores the significance of oversight for lawfulness and accountability in police departments, referencing Goldstein's insights on policing and societal relationships. Furthermore, it emphasizes the necessity of effective disciplinary measures to promote ethical behavior among officers.
    • 6.13: Current Issues- Body Cameras
      This page presents an interactive exercise on police body cameras, prompting readers to engage with video content to reflect on their perceptions of law enforcement. It encourages consideration of any shifts in views post-experience and discusses the value of body cameras, balancing their benefits with concerns about costs, privacy, and accountability in policing.
    • 6.14: Myth- “Police Only Write Speeding Tickets to Harass Citizens and it is Entrapment.”


    This page titled Chapter 6: Policing is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Alison S. Burke, David Carter, Brian Fedorek, Tiffany Morey, Lore Rutz-Burri, & Shanell Sanchez (OpenOregon) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.