Historically, how has the public viewed the police, starting in the nineteenth century and moving through to today? What changes have been made to alter or influence these attitudes? What challenges do departments still face?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Early police agencies were born out of urban mob violence and were corrupt, brutal, and inefficient. Police in the United States were regarded as incompetent and corrupt during the nineteenth century and disliked by the public. Some of this was because the political force in charge often controlled the police, which meant that officers could be cronies of the system or biased in their policing. Some early reforms made to address this perception included professionalization of the police through giving them uniforms. Technological advances also improved the efficiency and success of policing, for example, telegraphs for improved communication and motorcycles and cars for improved patrol. The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) was created in 1893 to create a civil service police force removed from political influence and control. In the 1960s, police faced a strained relationship with the public due to the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. These strains continued into the 1970s. Increased federal support for law enforcement influenced operations, particularly through the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration (LEAA), which gave a great deal of money to departments to educate officers and adopt technological advances. The beating of Rodney King by police in 1991 set off a new set of reforms, including making the police force more diverse in race and gender. Police still face challenges today through public scrutiny and minority distrust due to the publicized shootings of African Americans. Some changes are being made to address this criticism and distrust, like having police wear body cams or President Obama's Task Force on 21st Century Policing.