6.2 Policing and Law Enforcement Practices

Policing in the US has evolved from colonial night watches to modern departments, shaped by political influence, reform efforts, and community engagement. Today's police face challenges balancing discretion, accountability, and public trust while adapting to new technologies and societal expectations.

Police misconduct, including corruption and excessive force, strains community relations and erodes trust. Strategies to improve policing focus on community engagement, diversity, accountability measures, and alternative response models to address underlying social issues and rebuild public confidence.

Historical Development of Policing

Historical development of US policing

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• Origins of American policing rooted in colonial night watch systems volunteers patrolled streets after dark and slave patrols in South captured runaway enslaved people maintained order
• Formal police departments emerged mid-19th century Boston PD (1838) and NYPD (1845) set precedents for urban law enforcement structures
• Political era (mid-1800s to early 1900s) marked by influence of political machines led to widespread corruption and patronage in police forces
• Reform era (1920s-1970s) focused on professionalization introduced new technologies (patrol cars, radios) aimed to reduce political influence
• Community policing era (1980s-present) emphasizes engagement and problem-solving collaborative approach to crime prevention
• Militarization of police forces accelerated by War on Drugs and War on Terror resulted in increased use of military-grade equipment and tactics
• Technological advancements transformed policing practices body cameras enhance accountability predictive policing algorithms raise ethical concerns

Modern Policing Practices and Challenges

Role of police discretion

• Police discretion officers' ability to make decisions in the field shapes law enforcement practices and outcomes
• Factors influencing discretionary decisions:
  • Individual officer characteristics (experience, personal biases)
  • Departmental policies and culture shape acceptable practices
  • Situational factors (time of day, location, suspect behavior)
• Common areas of discretion:
  • Traffic stops officer decides whether to issue ticket or warning
  • Arrests vs. warnings minor offenses may result in verbal warning or formal arrest
  • Use of force determining appropriate level of force in confrontations
• Discretion impacts law enforcement outcomes:
  • Disparities in enforcement certain groups may face harsher treatment
  • Community perceptions of fairness influenced by discretionary decisions
• Efforts to guide discretion:
  • Written policies and procedures standardize decision-making processes
  • Training programs educate officers on proper use of discretion
  • Supervision and accountability measures monitor discretionary actions

Impact of police misconduct

• Types of police misconduct:
  • Corruption accepting bribes or engaging in illegal activities
  • Abuse of power excessive force or false arrests
  • Falsification of evidence planting drugs or manipulating reports
• Racial profiling in law enforcement:
  • Disproportionate targeting of minority groups for stops, searches, arrests
  • Erodes trust between police and communities of color
• Excessive use of force:
  • Defining "reasonable" force based on threat level and circumstances
  • High-profile incidents (George Floyd, Breonna Taylor) spark national debates
• Effects on community-police relations:
  • Erosion of trust leads to reduced cooperation with investigations
  • Communities less likely to report crimes or assist police
• Psychological impact:
  • Trauma and stress in affected communities
  • Increased fear and anxiety during police interactions
• Economic consequences:
  • Costly settlements and lawsuits drain municipal budgets
  • Reduced property values in areas with high police misconduct

Strategies for police-community relations

• Community policing initiatives:
  • Neighborhood watch programs involve residents in crime prevention
  • Community advisory boards provide input on policing strategies
• Diversity and inclusion efforts aim to create police forces representative of communities served
• De-escalation training teaches officers to defuse tense situations without force
• Implicit bias awareness programs address unconscious prejudices affecting decision-making
• Accountability measures:
  • Civilian review boards investigate complaints against officers
  • Early intervention systems identify problematic behavior patterns
• Transparency initiatives:
  • Open data policies make crime statistics and department info public
  • Body camera implementation and footage release policies increase accountability
• Police reform legislation:
  • Changes to qualified immunity doctrine affects officer liability
  • Use of force policy reforms restrict chokeholds and no-knock warrants
• Alternative response models:
  • Mental health crisis response teams trained professionals handle non-violent situations
  • Social workers partner with police address underlying social issues
• Building trust through engagement:
  • Youth outreach programs foster positive relationships with young people
  • Community events and forums facilitate dialogue between police and residents