Police and Society

Paper Summary:

The paper explains that understanding the history of policing helps make sense out of modern police departments' policing. The paper looks at administration, patrols as well as challenges officers and administrators face in the future, including implementing community-oriented policing. The paper discusses the public perception of modern police departments and what can be done to improve this perception. The paper concludes that it must change to meet the changing needs of society and citizens. Modern police officers face many more challenges than their early counterparts did; terrorism, violent crimes, and drugs take up much of the police officer's attention. The paper concludes that remaining adaptable and open to change are probably two of the best essentials a police officer can possess.

From the Paper:

"Policing in America has become increasingly complex as rural areas merge into large cities, and large cities expand their scope and influence. Funding for most police departments in America falls short of public need, and police officers face challenges and dangers on the streets - and off them as well. Policing in America is ever evolving, as the history of policing shows. Only one thing is absolutely certain. Policing will change and grow as America continues to grow and evolve."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Glenn, R. W., Panitch, B. R., Barnes-Proby, D., Williams, E., Christian, J., Lewis, M. W., et al. (2003). Training the 21st century police officer: Redefining police professionalism for the Los Angeles Police Department. Santa Monica, CA: Rand.
• Hahn, H., & Jeffries, J. L. (2003). Urban America and its police: From the postcolonial era through the turbulent 1960s. Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado.
• Harper, T. (2000, October). Shoot to kill: In the post-Columbine world, police departments all over America are adopting new, no-nonsense SWAT-team tactics. The Atlantic Monthly, 286.
• Peak, K. J. Policing America: Methods, Issues, Challenges. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2006.

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