History and Role of Police

Origin of the Word "Police"

• "Politeia" in ancient Greek refers to the governance of a city-state ("polis"), emphasizing community organization, civic duties, and public order.
• "Politia" in Latin means "civil administration" or "state governance," stressing the structured state and its role in maintaining order.
• "Policier" in Old French evolved from Latin, meaning "to govern," later specifying institutions and individuals responsible for enforcing laws and maintaining order.

Types of Police Systems

• Centralized police refer to a country having a single, recognized police force operating nationwide.
• Decentralized police refers to a system where police administration and operations are independent from one state to another.

Role of Police

• Watchman Role maintains order, prevents disturbances/crimes using discretion and informal conflict resolution.
• Law Enforcer Role upholds legal standards and ensures compliance with rules/regulations.
• Service Provider Role assists the public and enhances quality of life through community-oriented policing.

Watchman Role Responsibilities

• Patrolling regularly monitors areas.
• Peacekeeping addresses minor issues without formal enforcement.
• Situational Judgement relies on discretion to handle situations informally.
• Focus centers on maintaining social order, particularly in communities valuing informal conflict resolution

Law Enforcer Role Responsibilities

• Crime Investigation involves gathering evidence and apprehending suspects.
• Law Enforcement issues citations or making arrests.
• Criminal Justice Liaison works with the legal system to ensure justice.
• Focus upholds the rule of law, especially where violations threaten public safety.

Service Provider Role Responsibilities

• Emergency Response handles accidents, medical emergencies, or natural disasters.
• Community Support offers crime prevention programs, education, and guidance.
• Vulnerable Populations provides assistance to homeless or those facing mental health and domestic violence issues.
• The focus is on trust and collaboration.

Authority of Police

• Authority comes from governance, societal consent, and laws.
• Legitimacy originates from the people through laws and institutions based on a social contract exchanging freedoms for safety/security.
• Police agencies must maintain order and justice through community relationships.
• Accountability ensures police power serves the public interest, bound by fairness principles.
• Police act as part of government and community, enforcing laws/decisions, and addressing local concerns.
• Constitutional democracies derive police authority from the Constitution, which grants the government executive powers.
• Judicial oversight ensures police powers stay within legal limits, protecting individual rights.
• Police authority encompasses crime deterrence, law enforcement, and offender rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.

Policing Models

• Policing models vary by socio-cultural contexts, history, and politics, focusing on legitimacy and command architecture.

Legitimacy/Legal Backing

• Policing by Consent derives authority from public trust/cooperation with focus on engagement, transparency, and minimal force.
• Policing by Law derives authority from legal statutes and decrees with actions governed by laws enforced through compliance rather than consent.

Police Force Structure

• Single/Singular Force operates under one central authority nationwide.
• Multiple Forces operates with individual jurisdiction, which can be coordinated or uncoordinated.
• Coordinated Forces collaborate and share information.
• Uncoordinated Forces act independently, possibly leading to overlaps or conflicts.

Comparative Policing

• Comparative policing analyzes police systems across countries to improve practices globally.
• "Comparative" means a systematic comparison to identify similarities, differences, patterns, and impacts.
• Purpose to understand different approaches to policing worldwide and examine the influence of other factors on the police system.
• It analyzes global trends like terrorism and migration, which effects policing.
• Comparative research uncovers differences/similarities in police structures, policies, crime rates, and public relations.
• Framework evaluates policing models and could be qualitative through case studies or quantitative through statistics.
• Police systems vary across countries because of the legal, political, and social contexts of each nation.

Key Features of Police Systems

• Authority derives from legal frameworks.
• Role in Society includes law enforcement, community service, crime prevention, and maintaining order.
• Structure and Jurisdiction can be centralized or decentralized.
• Training and Accountability vary by country for police officers.
• Cultural Influences shape policing models.

Comparative Police System

• Studies organization, structure, functions, and practices of police forces across different countries.

Theories of Police Service

• Two prominent theories are the Continental model and the Home Rule model.
• Continental Model: A national government plays a central role in organizing, controlling, and overseeing police forces.
• Key Features:
  • Centralized Control: Primary policing responsibility lies with the state.
  • Uniformity of Practices: Operates under uniform national laws, policies, ensuring consistency across the country.
  • Legal Authority: Governed by law and under government control.
  • Strong State Involvement: Government exerts influence over operation, recruitment, and oversight.
• Home Rule Model emphasizes local control and autonomy
• Key Features:
  • Local Control: Local governments or municipalities have the authority to establish and manage their own police departments and are run by local officials not the nation
  • Tailored Policing adapts their policies and crime control efforts to the local communities.
  • Decentralized Command: Day-to-day operations are generally handled by locals making it flexible for them.
  • Continental Model: Emphasizes centralized control and uniformity
• Home Rule Model: Focus on aligning police with specific needs.

Concepts of Police Service Styles

• Old Police Service style of proficiency was dependent on the number of arrests they made.
• Modern of Police Service style of proficiency is measured on the absence of crime.

Styles of Policing

• Watchman Style focuses on maintaining order and peace through informal methods and discretion.
• Key points:
  • Order Maintenance: Prioritizes peace and order.
  • Discretion and Informality: Officers use their judgement.
  • Local community has more control.
  • Community Relations are prioritized by working with local law enforcement.
• Legalistic Style emphasizes strict enforcement of the law.
• Key points:
  • Law Enforcement is the first focus with no exceptions.
  • Formal Approach: Less community engagement.
  • Minimal Discretion: Must acting within guidelines.
  • Deterrence is emphasized.
• Service Style focuses on assistance and addressing community needs .
• Key points:
  • Community Assistance is used.
  • Problem-Solving: Officers work to solve problems in the community.
  • Collaboration is used with other agencies.
  • Building Relationships is emphasized.

Conclusion

• Watchman Style emphasizes order.
• Legalistic Style emphasizes law through procedure.
• Service Style focuses on service.

Explore the historical evolution of policing, tracing its roots from the ancient Greek 'Polis' to modern decentralized systems. Analyze the diverse roles of police officers, including law enforcers, service providers, and watchmen. Understand the source of police authority and their engagement with communities.