Historical Perspectives of Policing Flashcards
(24 cards)
What forms did policing take before the establishment of state police forces?
Communal self-policing (Hue and Cry, Constables), private policing (watchmen, thief takers, prosecution societies), and state involvement via military for riot control.
What prompted the creation of a formal police force in the 19th century?
Urbanization, industrialization, fear of rising crime and disorder, and legal attempts like the 1829 Metropolitan Police Act.
What did the Metropolitan Police Act (1829) establish?
The first formal police force in London
What is the ‘orthodox’ view of police history?
Policing was a rational, beneficial response to crime and disorder; it was efficient, reduced crime, and especially helped the poor.
Who and what type of explanations are in favour of the police?
Reith and orthodox explanations
What is the ‘revisionist’ or radical view?
Policing emerged to control the working class and serve the needs of capitalism (e.g. discipline workers outside of the factory), not to fight crime.
Who and what type of explanations argue against the police?
Spitzer and Scull and Revisionist (Radical) accounts
Who were the main opponents of the early police forces?
The rich (who feared interference), the poor (who feared repression), and those who saw it as un-British.
What is meant by “policing by consent”?
Police legitimacy derives from public approval and minimal force, not coercion.
Who established the ideological image ‘policing by consent’
Rowan and Mayne
Name 3 key principles of early policing ideology.
Rule of Law, Minimal Force, Accountability (also includes Prevention, Non-partisanship, Service Role, Bureaucratic Organization, Effectiveness).
What was the image of the police during the 1950s?
Seen as community heroes, moral and fair—“The British Bobby” was a symbol of national pride.
What contributed to the decline of police legitimacy in late 20th century?
Rising crime, miscarriages of justice, corruption, public order policing, racial and gender scandals, and political polarization
What are modern continuities with pre-police systems?
Increase in private security, self-help policing, and community-based efforts.
What are major modern discontinuities in policing?
Globalization, mass media influence, and technological advancements.
What does Reiner (2010) mean by the police being a “Teflon service”?
Despite scandals, police retain power and legitimacy in public and political life.
What developments spurred growth in policing research post-1970?
Emergence of new criminological theories (labelling, radical), urban unrest, and miscarriages of justice.
What is ‘cop culture’?
The shared attitudes, values, and behaviors among police officers, often studied ethnographically
What does research say about the police-public relationship?
It varies widely; some trust the police, others view them with suspicion, often reflecting social division
What roles do police perform beyond crime fighting?
Peacekeeping, emergency response, public reassurance, general social service duties.
What proportion of police work involves crime incidents?
Less than 20% of police-public interactions are crime-related; most calls involve non-crime issues.
What does the term ‘omnibus public service’ mean in relation to policing?
Police perform a wide variety of functions, becoming a catch-all service for public needs
Why is crime control overemphasized in public perception of policing?
Media representations and performance metrics focus heavily on crime stats like ‘clear-up rates’.
What structural role do police play in the criminal justice system?
They act as gatekeepers—most criminal cases originate with police action or reports.
