History of Policing as It Relates to Communication With the Public - Essay Sample

Introduction

The history of police communications dates back to the 20th century and the realization of the reform era in American policing. Verbal communication between the police and the community was the limit too early policing. Historically, policing was influenced by the English system and the public was responsible for law enforcement. The system being employed previously was the 'kin' police where most of the people were responsible for watching out for their relatives. In the system, there would be citizen volunteers who were entitled to watch groups to enhance social services for the community. Therefore, the public would not be involved mostly in crime control activities. Therefore, the policing system previously was ineffective as a result of the volunteer system which would lead to a disorganized and sporadic system. However, later, law enforcement was assigned to groups of men within the community, a better-organized system of law enactment. These people would capture criminals and take them to court whereas another group of people known as the shire reeves would watch for the provision of other services such as providing oversight of the activities conducted by the 'police' (Bartollas & Hahn, 1999). Later, a system was developed in America that consisted of constables, sheriffs, and citizens who were tasked with watching out for law enforcement in the colonies (Alpert & Dunham, 1988). However the system proved ineffective, and instead of crime control and law enforcement, most of the members in the watch groups would sleep and socialize even though they were on duty. There were slave patrols during the civil war until a unified system encompassing police departments in the various cities was formed. Until recently, there have been shifts in the system considering new laws governing immigration among other issues, use of force, policing activities and advancements in technology.

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Historical Interactions Between Police and Homogenous American Society and Today’s Interactions Between Police and a Multicultural Society

Over time, technology has enhanced effective communication between police officers and the public. The main form of communication used in law enforcement remains to be the telephone. Today, law enforcement agencies have realized the importance of social media as the current technology has been phasing out verbal communication. Now, there are innovative ways of communication including mobile applications that may alert the public or disseminate emergency information instantly. Historically, the police could use hoses and dogs to address policing issues. Additionally, the police could brutally attack the unarmed public across America (Alpert & Dunham, 1988). However, the technology build today has even further led to falling apart of the relationships between police officers and citizens hence; no side could work together with the other. There have been shifts in the police system, but this has only made matters worse.

Potential Problems in the Current Structure and Design of Police Departments

Historically, police departments were professionally developed, until they changed during the 1920s and 1930s. The current structure and design of police departments entail corrupt and inefficient departments. Most of the present departments are focused on the prevention of crime through acts such as walking around. Previously, police departments were professional, and with strict leadership administrations (Williams & Murphy, 1990). Even though there is a system of scientific management at present, there still is a challenge with police departments and the services offered to the public. This shift can be measured concerning arrests made and the time spent on every case. Policing has currently become an impersonal issue.

Presently, there is a scientific mindset and the advancement of technologies such as the use of mobile applications and police cars that have isolated physical interaction between the police and the community hence, an elevation of trust issues. There have been breakdowns in the policing style being employed by cops, specifically in building relations with the community. Most of the police departments are now detached and do not interact more with the public as a result of technology advancement (Bartollas & Hahn, 1999). For instance, earlier, people could even protest over personal topics including civil rights, but it is not a matter of consideration today. The police have been silent and do not clash violently with protesters like they used to. Moreover, police used to break up peaceful rights with police dogs and hoses. Presently, most of these systems have been absorbed by corruption and other negative policing activities. The police claim to be upholding the law but the community has seen the other side of it, which includes a broken trust in police-community relations. The relationship between officers and the community have now fallen apart, proving mistrust between the two.

Critical Issues Faced by Police Managers Historically Compared to Today’s Critical Issues of Immigration, Use of Force, Technology, and Policing in a Multicultural Society

Most of the police departments in various countries have been reevaluating their relationships with the community. Various critical issues have been on the rise, with problem-oriented policing being a matter of discussion amongst various police systems. Today, the police tend to focus more on results through the identification of root issues. One critical issue with previous policing was the ways the police conducted their duties and their effectiveness. However, some of the issues are presently being addressed by looking at simple occurrences of crime. Through technology and multicultural policing today, police officers are trying to get back in touch with community members by addressing the relationships that exist between the police and the public (Greene, 2000).

Historically, police managers have also encountered issues with law enforcement for service and protection including the ways they could employ to remain stress-free, and how they can effectively enforce the code of ethics. These issues led to the weakening of departments as soon as they were left unaddressed. Without concentration, an officer's performance would be significantly diminished, or they could lose concentration with their duties. There was toughness with law enforcement officers, and the public always saw them as ready to serve (Greene, 2000). With them being stress-free, the community would tend to feel safe, but when the issue was left unaddressed by the police managers, there would be poor service delivery. Most of the managers deal with the worst as offered by the society, as well as making sacrifices to make sure that the police departments run stress-free. Presently, the use of force and policing in the multicultural society leaves most of the officers to work alone hence, leading to a sparse system though jurisdiction. Therefore, today, most of the officers seek a better support system, and managers strive to come up with innovative ways of addressing the critical issue. If left unaddressed, there would be resulting adverse effects including anger and disillusion hence, leading to strained relationships between the administration and other police workers. Therefore, one of the ways to address the critical issue is to be in a constant emotional control which can lead to a significant toll on the mentality of an officer.

Another critical issue is the code of ethics for criminal justice police within policing departments (Greene, 2000). There are conflicts and needs guidance issues when it comes to law enforcement hence, the need for a code of ethics. When not complied to, instances of unruly behavior could be perceived. For instance, many police officers used, to be honest, but the era changed, and they began negative behaviors such as bribery, extortion, forgery, and an excess application of force to the public. Since the code of ethics guides people daily, the historical police used to serve and protect. However, advances in technology and immigration policies have seen segregation of the code of ethics and the police, making police manage face difficulties in leading the herd.

References

Alpert, G. P., & Dunham, R. G. (1988). Policing urban America. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.

Bartollas, C., & Hahn, L. D. (1999). Policing in America. Allyn and Bacon.

Greene, J. R. (2000). Community policing in America: Changing the nature, structure, and function of the police. Criminal justice, 3(3), 299-370.

Williams, H., & Murphy, P. V. (1990). The evolving strategy of police: A minority view (Vol. 13). Washington, DC: US Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.