NCJ Number
37111
Date Published
1975
Length
200 pages
Annotation
A RADICAL AND CRITICAL PERSPECTIVE ON THE HISTORY, DEVELOPMENT, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES POLICE.
Abstract
THIS TEXT DRAWS TOGETHER INFORMATION ABOUT THE POLICE IN THE UNITED STATES AND TRACES THEIR DEVELOPMENT FROM NIGHT WATCHMEN TO THEIR PRESENT FORM. THE AUTHORS ARGUE THAT THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE POLICE IS DIRECTLY LINKED TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM, CLASS CONFLICT, AND RACIAL OPPRESSION. THEY TAKE A CRITICAL LOOK AT MODERN POLICE TECHNOLOGY, THE DEVELOPMENT OF POLICE TACTICAL UNITS, THE PRIVATE POLICE INDUSTRY, AND THE INCREASING ROLE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN MODERNIZING POLICE THROUGH LEAA. RECENT ATTEMPTS AT CONTROLLING POLICE THROUGH SUCH MEANS AS SENSITIVITY TRAINING AND COMMUNITY CONTROL ARE ALSO EXAMINED.