Running head: MODERN DAY POLICING AND SOCIETY 1
Modern Day Policing and Society
CRJ 100
, MODERN DAY POLICING AND SOCIETY 2
The role of police in todays society has developed from history of corruption, riots, social
change, and technology. The three eras of policing in America are shaped by early practices and
ideas of law enforcement. Throughout the course of history enough improvements and
advancements have been made from the political era to the professional era and finally the
community era which attempts to eliminate corruption, create an overall effective law
enforcement system and hire qualified officers.
Between the 1840’s- 1930’s in the United States the Political Era came about because of
a need got social order and security in a dynamic and rapidly changing society. The function of
law enforcement was to provide a wide range of social service to the community. The political
era closes ties between the police and the political officials. Police were organized in
paramilitary style, focused on serving the politically powerful. Police officers in this time were
not as skilled and were also corrupt. Police of the political era did more to regulate criminal
activity than to control it. They began to make a trade for a trade with criminals while tolerating
certain crimes in exchange for information or stolen goods. Many of the officers and politicians
and ward bosses they served were corrupt. Corruption grew at many levels of government as
well as result of restrictions on various “vices.” Laws limiting drinking, gambling, and sex
provided ample opportunity for the criminal element to provide much desired products and
services. Political aspects reflected contest of power between ethnic groups and was built on the
patronagesystem which was awarding city jobs for political support. An example of political
patronage run amok was Tammany Hall in New York City, his control over the political
machine was so complete that he was elected to the New York State Senate.
Modern Day Policing and Society
CRJ 100
, MODERN DAY POLICING AND SOCIETY 2
The role of police in todays society has developed from history of corruption, riots, social
change, and technology. The three eras of policing in America are shaped by early practices and
ideas of law enforcement. Throughout the course of history enough improvements and
advancements have been made from the political era to the professional era and finally the
community era which attempts to eliminate corruption, create an overall effective law
enforcement system and hire qualified officers.
Between the 1840’s- 1930’s in the United States the Political Era came about because of
a need got social order and security in a dynamic and rapidly changing society. The function of
law enforcement was to provide a wide range of social service to the community. The political
era closes ties between the police and the political officials. Police were organized in
paramilitary style, focused on serving the politically powerful. Police officers in this time were
not as skilled and were also corrupt. Police of the political era did more to regulate criminal
activity than to control it. They began to make a trade for a trade with criminals while tolerating
certain crimes in exchange for information or stolen goods. Many of the officers and politicians
and ward bosses they served were corrupt. Corruption grew at many levels of government as
well as result of restrictions on various “vices.” Laws limiting drinking, gambling, and sex
provided ample opportunity for the criminal element to provide much desired products and
services. Political aspects reflected contest of power between ethnic groups and was built on the
patronagesystem which was awarding city jobs for political support. An example of political
patronage run amok was Tammany Hall in New York City, his control over the political
machine was so complete that he was elected to the New York State Senate.
