Research Paper on Foundations of the Development and Functions of Police

Introduction

There are different trends and traits of political and eras of policing, which dates back between 1840 and 1940. Law and politics of the day primarily influenced the era of policing (Kelling & Moore, 2013). However, with the increased need to protect the US people, different states developed a standard national curriculum, which outlined training skills and expertise required during police training. Such training programs set a basic standard and minimum qualification for law enforcement officers upon completion of their academy training (Kelling & Moore, 2013). Therefore, community policing brings the community and the police together to create a workable relationship that can reduce the inherent fear among citizens in case of an attack or the event of criminal activities. This paper seek to compare and contrast the primary characteristics of the political and reform eras of policing, identify the skills and knowledge that are imparted to police trainees during their academy training and explain the importance of these skills in relation to real-world applications and examine the essential elements of the implementation and evaluation phases of community policing and problem-solving.

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The Major Characteristics of the Political and Reform Eras of Policing

The history of policing in the US is founded upon three eras, the political era, reform era and community policing or problem solving era. The political era occurred in the early 20th century during the development of industrial cities between 1800s and 1920s in the United States. This era was characterized by the representation of the politicians by the police in the neighborhoods they patrolled. There was no correct channel or service system for hiring, firing and managing, and it only happened at the discretion of politicians. Police departments were run by politicians, meaning, and police mission were also the mission of the politicians. Therefore, the police were to please the local politicians while handling criminal activities in the community. The police officers owed allegiance to their police captains and ward bosses. New officers only had few instructions and no training during patrol. The police were seen to have a decent job but it had a poor job security due to the political influence. The political era was also characterized by police officers on foot patrol and who knew their community well. They recognized specific crime problems because of the intelligence they got from community members. Officers were so connected to the political and social community. The radio car was not available at the time, but a call box was used to report and communicate with officers in the station house. The police also had enormous amount of discretion and limited supervision. Since the police worked in small groups they were able to allow thieves, pick pocketers and gamblers to continue their business leading to a culture of police corruption.

The reform era happened due to the intimacy between the police officers and politicians. Reform initiatives had to be taken to reduce the command of politicians, and corruption among police officers. The police officers were not happy with the reform initiatives in the eleventh century since the reformation aimed to the autonomy of enforcing the law and making policing free from politics. The police reform aimed to bring unity and division of labor in the police to ensure a corruption free and successful police organizations. The police officers were divided in different departments with different specializations to enable them conduct their roles and responsibilities effectively. As a result, special teams were formed to handle special situations. Besides, competence, ethical consideration, technological improvement and efficiency were part of the reform. As a result a pyramid of control was developed to ensure an upward and downward flow of information. The police were ad to work with professionalism ice the police organizations were more impersonal and autonomous to citizens. Police had to be neutral, rehabilitate offenders and prevent crime. This is the reason the police in the reform era started to prevent crime using car patrols to watch crime within the society. Technology also became the backbone of policing such as the introduction of fingerprinting technology and officers being given walkie-talkies, cars, bicycle and motorcycles for patrol (Morin, 2013). Such innovation organized officers and increased community policing. Besides, with the introduction of Berkeley Police School where police officers could get college degrees, it was believed that the corruption menace would reduce and divorced from politics, and instead become a civil service duty and profession. Thus, with the positive change in law enforcement, corruption reduced through the code of ethics that was instilled in the law enforcement system.

Skills and Knowledge Impacted on Trainees

The basis of police training is based on practical skills because police performance is based on their intensive and professional knowledge. Police officers must be equipped with skills and knowledge to be able to handle and take action of a particular policing situation. Police officers need to be physically fit, have the mental capacity and have the statute knowledge of the law (Conger, 2014). Professional skills allow officers to meet and respond spontaneously to typical challenges and situations that require proven knowledge and techniques. Skill also guides officers to follow a particular course of actions, particularly in emergency situations (Walker & Katz, 2012). Therefore, training skills are essential in helping officers to master materials required in their profession. The primary skills required of officers include field training, patrols, baseline requirements and necessary procedures of investigation (Conger, 2014).

Baseline Skills and Requirements

Baseline requirements require every officer to master some baseline skills necessary to carry out their duties. This involves communication skills, self-management, proper use of firearms and the use of equipment. In this department, the police are taught skills in defensive tactics, the operation of police vehicles and radios, self-defense and physical fitness, different languages, report writing, communication, computer technology, first aid, stress management and defensive tactics (Conger, 2014). Cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and first aid gives prepare them to save lives and conduct first aids. These baseline requirements, such as communication and language skills help police officers to control their feelings by becoming less angry and less nervous to control themselves when dealing with specific difficult situations. Besides, an officer should be able to adjust measures based on the subjective needs of the victim. Safety thinking and showing empathy may be important when the police is making a choice of equipment to use.

Patrolling Skills

The patrol police officer require different forms of knowledge and a flexible intellect to function in a satisfaction way. Patrolling skills are taught to allow officers to carry out their duties as front-line personnel. Patrolling skills require theoretical knowledge, practical knowledge, and familiarity knowledge. This knowledge enables officers to function in a particular manner when operating. The police learn traffic law management, patrol procedures, identifying forged documents, managing accident scenes, and identification of alcohol and drugs during a search. Such skills ensure that officers can solve problems in the field and meet their duty requirements (Walker & Katz, 2012). For example, patrol officers should be able to need to collect, organize and analyze information that a crime victim gives. Such information determines if the crime can be solved or not while at the same time determining is the offender needs to be arrested for the crime. Besides, a patrol officer who comes across teenagers smoking can use his argumentative skills to persuade the children to stop smoking. Such argumentative abilities enable the police to functions in a satisfying manner.

Investigation Skills

Basic investigation skills allow officers to have the basics and procedure required during a criminal investigation. The skills also ensure that police trainees gain tactics when evaluating evidence that may be needed by a jury (Conger, 2014). As a result, trainees study criminal law, crime classification, investigation procedure, crime management, and techniques in the collection of criminal information, note taking, interviewing and forensics (Walker & Katz, 2012). Therefore, by training the police officers to handle conditions and situations, they will find themselves well equipped while on patrol. For example, investigation skills are important when the police officer tries acquiring identification information from an offender in the police computer system. Besides, these skills allow officers to conduct in house investigations in trying to find the suspect of a given crime. To better their investigation skills they must have a well thought judgment about the time and energy that should be put in a particular case. Besides, the police must take a number of decisions and considerations during the investigation before coming to a conclusion.

Community Policing and Traditional Policing

Traditional policing is the best known mode of law enforcement in the US. It involves officers in patrol within the community while making calls in case they see a crime or come across a crime that have already occurred (Pearl, 2015). This form of policing is reactive since officers are able to respond to situations immediately as they develop. The police will spend time addressing issues and challenges as they develop and their role is to ensure peace, whether it involve arresting the offenders or protecting the citizens. For example, traditional policing involves specialized officers dealing with homicides or narcotics (Pearl, 2015). They begin as patrol men with the goal of meeting incidences head on the streets, and arresting offenders. Sometimes, officers respond to crimes through 911 calls to solve ongoing crimes and civilian concerns by working with the community (Pearl, 2015). Sometimes, community meetings, poll or campaigns are used to collect information, which makes it more reactive than proactive. Thus, both community and traditional policing require a close understanding and partnership between the police and the community.

Community policing is considered a break from traditional policing since it uses direct community participation through partnership of the public and the police department. The officers partner with the community to assist in solving problems and attacking issues that may lead to crime (Pearl, 2015). It involves, partnering, examining problems, brainstorming, assessing the solution and presenting viable solutions. Police officers are also less authoritative and rely on the cooperation of citizens to do their job (Pearl, 2015). Peace is also a shared responsibility aimed to serve the citizens and the community. Thus, community policing looks into the social issues and quality of life within the society. However, community policing could make officers so comfortable in their area of patrol, which makes them predictable or becomes an easy target.

The Elements of Implementation and Evaluation Phases of Community Policing and Problem Solving

The implementation and evaluation of community policing are developed in different stages that make community policing and problem-solving smooth. Problem-solving during the implementation and evaluation phase involves processes such as scanning, assessmen...