A Timeline of the Police in the U.S

A TIMELINE OF POLICE IN THE U.S. The police, that "thin blue line" between order and anarchy, is the largest and most visible segment of the criminal justice process. Overview The United States Police borrowed selectively from the British system. It adopted the preventive patrol idea, but is a highly decentralized system in order to be autonomous from external influences, like political parties. Although the country's first sheriff's station was created in 1626, modern police stations weren't established until the 1800s. Police officers: Almost 90% of police departments employ fewer than 50 sworn officers. Technology: Breakthroughs, like radio communications and radar, have made a huge difference in how well police officers can do their job. POLICE Throughout its history, the country's law enforcement system has continued to change and advance. Officers' duties: These include general law enforcement, watching for signs of crime and investigating suspected criminal activity. Timeline Police stations 1600s 1800s 1900-1910 1910-1920 1970-1980 1838 1910 1900s The Boston Police Department becomes the first local modern August Vollmer, the police chief of Berkley, CA, becomes the father of modern law enforcement. Alice Stebbins Wells was the first female police officer hired by LAPD. 1970s & 1980s 1626 The New York City Sheriff's police department in US. Office was founded. Investigations of several city police departments revealed cases of police corruption. 1845 1910 The New York City Police Department is established. The first female deputy sheriff:Margaret Q. Adams is hired by the LA County Sheriff's Department. 1971 1635 1886 1905 The United States Police Canine Association is formed when two other associations merge. The town of Boston began the first night watch. The Pennsylvania State Police becomes the first First two African American police officers: Robert William Stewart and Roy Green are hired by LAPD. until the 1920s. state police agency. In many American cities, local political leaders had control over the police force. Officers' duties 1600s & 1700s 1800s 1900s 1910-1960 1800s Reforms began: officers became more professional and crime experts. Police officers maintained order and made arrests, but they often circumvented their responsibilities. Constables selected men Military watches & Rattle watches paid volunteers that secured night watch. 1970s & 1980s to serve as guardians of the peace. Female officers were assigned to patrol duty and crime investigation. 1845 New York City combined its separate day and night watches into a single city police force. Officers' duties began to be more and more similar to what they are today. Sheriffs held elections, collected taxes and kept custody of public funds. Federal Marshals Their duties were related to civil and Uniformed police officers Sheriffs and deputy sheriffs criminal court activity. 1860-1890 Police assisted the poor, took in overnight lodgers and returned lost children. Their duties are general They enforce the law law enforcement. on the county level. State police officers Detectives late 1800s Local Marshals Vigilantes were self-appointed They arrest criminals statewide and patrol highways to enforce motor vehicle laws and regulations. Are plainclothes investigators who gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases. Cincinnati was the first city were appointed by a mayor or city council and served purely as local police. to require police officers to be of high moral character and fast. law enforcers who punished outlaws. Technology Leeeeel l 1800s 1900-1930 1930-2000 1900s 1907 Berkeley's department was the first to use blood, fiber and soil analysis in investigations. 1850s Radio and 1932 late 1940s motorized FBI inaugurated the forensic laboratory. introduced to traffic District stations were linked communications Radar was to headquarters by telegraph lines. appear. law enforcement. 1921 1924 The lie detector was invented. The fingerprint classification system was developed. late 1800s 1968 1994 Call boxes on the beat were introduced. CompStat, a crime tracker, is put in function. 911 is created. 1928 Radio-equipped squad cars were first used. Major conflicts & Police brutality 1800s 1900s 1830s & 187Os 1960s & 1970s 1964 Riots broke out in cities in the US. In trying to control the rioters, the police were sometimes charged with using unnecessary force. Conflicts occur because of ethnic and racial differences, economic failures, moral questions, and during elections of public officials. 1834 The "Year of the Riots" occurs in New York City. A white New York City police officer shot and killed a black teenager. 1837 1893 1991 1997 Abner Louima was arrested and abused The Broad Street Riot in Philadelphia involves almost 15,000 residents. of a civilian by an officer. The New York Times uses "police brutality" Rodney G. King, a black for the first time to describe the beating motorist, was beaten by with a broomstick. The case rested with a $8.7 million settlement from the city of Brooklyn and the police union. white officers. Uniforms 1950s U.S. uniform included 1853 1960s & 1970s 1990s -2000s Due to riots and cases of police corruption, the NY Police Department replaced the dark blue with a more friendly blue. Uniforms returned to dark blue after the city experiences terrorist attacks. New York was the first to institute a dress code, dark blue, like the British ones. blue pants, blue shirt and a flat cap with a visor on the front. Sources: wikipedia.org | intelicus.com | bls.gov | ehow.com | ehow.com | time.com | 911dispatch.com | livesmarter.com | ehow.com | uspcak9.com | criminal justice USA Information provided by: http://www.criminaljusticeusa.com/