NCJ Number
17760
Date Published
1974
Length
237 pages
Annotation
TRACES THE FORCES OF HISTORY THAT HAVE MOLDED THE ROLE OF THE POLICE IN AMERICA, FROM THE COLONIAL NIGHT WATCHMAN TO THE MODERN PROFESSIONAL.
Abstract
THE INFLUENCES OF PREVAILING IDEOLOGIES, ECONOMICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL MOTIVATIONS, POLITICAL MANIPULATION, TECHNOLOGY, AND CLASS PRESSURES ARE EXPLORED AS THE FACTORS IN VARIOUS PERIODS OF HISTORY THAT HAVE MOLDED THE POLICING INSTITUTION AND THE INDIVIDUAL POLICEMAN. THE IMPACT OF URBANIZATION ON POLICE DUTIES AND ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE IS ANALYZED. THE AUTHOR MAINTAINS THAT THERE IS A PRESENT NEED FOR A RECLARIFICATION OF THE ROLE OF THE POLICE, WITH MORE EMPHASIS ON PEACE-KEEPING AND GENERAL SERVICE FUNCTIONS AND A NEW UNDERSTANDING OF CRIMINALITY THROUGH ADVANCED EDUCATION.