Assignment

Module 1, Section 1 Review Assignment

Note: Any quotes are from the book of readings.

You need to read and review two articles from the book of readings, Critical Issues in Policing.

• The Foundation of the Police Role in Society: Important Information to Know during a Police Legitimacy Crisis, Dunham & Alpert, pages 3 – 11
• The Development of the American Police: An Historical Overview, Craig Uchida, pages 11 – 30

Dunham and Alpert set “the social context of policing by discussing how the institution of policing fits into a very complex U.S. society.” They move to a discussion of the use of force. The use of force makes police unique. It allows police to “function effectively.”

The social contract of American society provides for the people to allow police to possess and exert force. The parameters of the use of force remain ultimately with the people. According to Alpert and Dunham, police, despite continuing controversies, generally rate high among the people. However, this is difficult in an ever-increasing and complex role of the police function.

The United States system of policing and law enforcement is complex and extensive. It appears to be a fragmented system. The federal government alone has many overlapping law enforcement agencies. They note a difference between policing and law enforcement. The authors try to provide an understanding of the place and role of the police in society. Their article provides a good introduction.

The second article provides a somewhat comprehensive historical overview of policing since 900 AD. I found this reading fascinating. The article, while providing a foundation in the historical development of policing give the reader a good understanding of the evolution of policing.

Uchida starts by telling the reader how policing developed as a community activity from 900 AD. Citizens had direct responsibility for policing and other activities in their British communities. With the rise of larger population centers, a need for an established police force developed. A preventive approach to crime developed. In America, policing became more of a political exercise than it was in Britain.

The reading discusses three of the major reform eras, including the major upheaval in society and policing during the 1960s and 70s. Police and citizen conflicts occurred frequently. Most major cities had riots.

You should find the historical development of policing fascinating. You might be surprise many of the arguments occurring today are repeats of the past.

George Kelling, in his 2003 article, starts from the perspective that the “United States is in a period of dramatic change. This assertion appears as true today as it was in 2003. The questions he asks about factors responsible for drops in certain crime rates are still relevant.

Much of Kelling’s article reflects on the history and development of policing in the United States. Consider carefully what came before to better understand the present and possible future. You should find this article interesting and informative.

The authors discuss the development of community policing, which occurred after the 60s and 70s. However, community policing means different things to different people. The author points out that the federal government often throws cash at the problem.

You should find both articles interesting and informative.

For this assignment, you must reflect on both articles and tell me what you learned, what you found interesting, and what, if anything, you take away from the articles that you can use or think about using in the future. You have a lot of latitude in completing this assignment. However, I want to read a serious reflection.

Submit the assignment as a Word/Office document that is equivalent to two to three pages. However, there is no page limit. Outside sources may help to enhance your grade.

Double-space between paragraphs. Single-space between lines within paragraphs. A good assignment starts with an introduction and ends with a summary or conclusion.

Grading will consider content along with grammar, essay format, spelling, use of terminology, paragraph structure, and sentence structure. Submit the Review as a Word/Office document.

Put in the upper left corner your name, course name, Spring 2025, Part I Assignment.