History of Law Enforcement
Course
Law
Enforcement I
Unit I
History
Rationale
Modern law enforcement has been influenced by thousands of years and many
civilizations. It is important for an officer to understand the history of his or her
profession so they have an understanding of why things are the way they are.
Essential
Question
How did the
current model of
law enforcement
come about?
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Identify the role of police in society.
2. Define terms associated with the lesson.
3. Discuss the origins and development of modern law enforcement.
4. Research the duties of law enforcement officers in various eras.
5. Create a presentation to teach others about the history of law
enforcement.
TEKS
§130.293(c)
(1)(A)(B)
Engage
Discuss the following questions: Where was the first recorded police organization
founded? What was its purpose? Use the Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Prior Student
Learning
None
Key Points
I. The role of police in a democratic society
A. The police are entrusted to serve and protect.
B. Law enforcement officers are the citizens’ most common and direct contact
with the government.
C. Law enforcement dates back to the earliest human civilizations.
D. The Romans contributed the idea of districts or enforcement precincts.
Estimated Time
3 to 5 hours
II. Key terms
A. Bobbies – In 1829, English Parliament mandated a publicly funded police
force throughout England. They became known as the “bobbies.”
B. Constables – Local level individuals who assisted the shire reeve and
organized posses to chase and apprehend criminals
C. Frankpledge System – A form of community policing instituted by King
William in 1066
D. Tithing – In the Frankpledge System, every male over twelve years of age
was required to form a group of ten families called a “tithing.”
E. Sir Robert Peel – A member of the English Parliament in 1829 who led the
mandating of a publicly funded police force throughout England via the
London Metropolitan Police Act. He advocated the 12 principles of policing.
F. Shires – Ten “tithings” were grouped together to form a hundred, and these
consolidated groups were called shires.
G. Henry Fielding – A London magistrate who, in 1748, formed a group of law
enforcement agents to apprehend criminals and recover stolen property
from the entertainment district. They were called the “Bow Street Runners.”
H. Justice of the Peace – In 1326, the shire reeve was replaced with the office
of the justice of the peace.
I. Night Watch System – In England, the night watch system provided citizens
with protection from crime. During times of duress, the men on watch would
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raise the hue and cry to summon assistance from the citizens of the
community or, in the case of a larger community, from others already on
watch. The watch standers were equipped with various signaling devices,
including bells, ratchets, and rattles.
J. Shire Reeves – The top law enforcement official, who was the forerunner of
the American sheriff
K. Peelers – Another name for the “bobbies” because of Sir Robert Peel’s
influence in creating the force
L. Politeria – The Greek word that “police” is derived from
M.Pharaoh Hur Moheb – Established the first recorded police organization in
Egypt around 1340 B.C.
N. Law Enforcement – The most visible representatives of the criminal justice
system; typically citizens’ most common and direct contact with law
enforcement
O. Police – Entrusted to serve and protect the public, and to control and
prevent crime
P. Political Era – 1840’s to 1920’s: the period when police agencies were first
established to provide a unified law enforcement force in the major
American cities
Q. Reform Era – Wanted to take law enforcement out of politics, introduce
modern technology to make law enforcement more efficient, and establish
police administrative boards that were responsible for appointing police
administrators and controlling police affairs
R. Professional Era – 1920’s to 1970’s: the period when there was a call for the
establishment of measures to assist law enforcement agencies to improve
their effectiveness and become more professional
S. Community Model Era – 1970’s to the present: the period when it was
advocated for law enforcement to move away from the crime-fighting focus
of law enforcement towards a greater emphasis on maintaining order and
providing service to the community
T. August Vollmer – Was known as the most famous police reformer in the
early part of the twentieth century. He believed the police should be a
professional force.
U. Spoils – A system that used political power to hire supporters and fire those
considered disloyal. This led to a period of incompetent, corrupt, and
disliked police force.
V. O.W. Wilson – A student of Vollmer’s who advocated for law enforcement
agencies to employ technological advances, such as motorized patrols,
effective radio communications, and rapid response, to aid effective crime
fighting.
III. Law enforcement and early civilizations
A. Extends back to the earliest civilizations
B. Met a social need for promoting a group’s well-being
C. Banishment was the most effective means of punishment. Camp guards of
early civilization represent the first traces of law enforcement practices.
D. First recorded police organization – 1340 B.C., in Egypt, under the reign of
Pharoah Hur Moheb
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1. River security force established to ensure security on the Nile
2. Responsible for preventing piracy, guarding commerce, and searching
suspect ships
E. Police is a derivative of the Greek work “Politeria” – the portion of
government that deals with protection of life and property.
F. Roman contribution – during the reign of Emperor Augustus Caesar
1. Police were a special feature of the Roman government.
2. Various grades of officers
3. Seven divisions with 14 districts; districts represent the first city
precincts
IV. English Roots
A. American law enforcement concepts originated in England in 900 A.D.
B. Justice was primarily a private matter based on revenge and retribution.
C. Victims and/or family members would seek justice.
D. King William – 1066
1. Frankpledge system
2. Tithing
3. Shires
4. Shire Reeve
5. Constables
E. Winchester Statute – 1285
1. Night watch system
2. Selection of constables
3. Draft of volunteer citizens as watchmen
F. Justice of Peace – 1326
1. Replaced Shire Reeve
2. Supervised law enforcement activities including crime investigation,
securing criminals, and organizing the night watch system
3. The system lasted into the 1700’s.
4. Citizens were the police.
5. Law enforcement organization was local.
G. Henry Fielding – 1700’s
1. The military was used for crime control.
2. Established the Bow Street Runners who apprehended criminals and
recovered stolen property
a) More effective than any other law enforcement of its day
b) Paved the way for a more professional and efficient response to
crime, and the apprehension of criminals
H. Sir Robert Peel – 1829
1. Worked with the English Parliament to mandate a publicly funded
police force under the London Metropolitan Police Act
2. Created uniformed police force known as “bobbies” or “peelers"
3. Peel’s 12 Principles of Policing
a) The police must be stable, efficient, and organized along military
lines.
b) The police must be under government control.
c) The absence of crime will best prove the efficiency of police.
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d) The distribution of crime news is essential.
e) The deployment of police strength, by both time and area, is
essential.
f) No quality is more indispensable to a policeman than a perfect
command of temper; a quiet, determined manner has more effect
than a violent action.
g) Good appearance commands respect.
h) The securing and training of proper persons is the root of
efficiency.
i) Public security demands that every police officer be given a
number.
j) Police headquarters should be centrally located and easily
accessible to the people.
k) Policemen should be hired on a probationary basis.
l) Police records are necessary to the correct distribution of police
strength.
V. Historical Eras of Law Enforcement
C. Political Era (1840 to 1920)
1. The period when police agencies were established to provide a unified
police force in the major American cities
2. The “Spoils” system; the metropolitan police in the 19th century were
powerful, corrupt, poorly trained, unsupervised, and frequently abusive
to the public they were to serve and protect.
3. The primary focus was on crime prevention and the maintenance of
order through the foot patrol.
D. Reform Era
1. Began in early part of the 20th century, as a result of the middle and
upper class citizens’ concern with corruption.
2. They wanted to get rid of political patronage and improve the efficiency
of government, especially in law enforcement.
3. They called for professional police forces, to remove law enforcement
from politics and to introduce modern technology to make law
enforcement more efficient.
4. One result of the Reform Era was the establishment of police
administrative boards who were responsible for appointing police
administrators and controlling police affairs.
5. These civilian review boards were established to reduce local political
control over the police.
6. These review boards failed because the appointed leaders often lacked
law enforcement knowledge.
E. Professional Era (1920’s to the 1970’s)
1. August Vollmer
a) Chief of police in Berkley, California, was the most famous police
reformer in the early part of the 20th century
b) Instituted university training for police officers
c) Helped to develop the School of Criminology at the University of
California at Berkley. The school became the model for university4
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level criminal justice programs around the U.S.
d) Believed that the police should be a professional force
e) The model of professional policing was developed from Vollmer’s
six essential elements:
(1) The police force should stay out of politics.
(2) Members should be well trained, disciplined, and tightly
organized.
(3) Laws should be equally enforced.
(4) The police should use technological developments.
(5) Merit should be on the basis of personnel procedures.
(6) The crime-fighting role should be prominent.
2. O.W. Wilson
a) The redirection of police from maintenance of order to one of crime
control altered the nature of policing in America more than any of
the other elements of the professional era.
b) A student of Vollmer’s, advocated that law enforcement use
motorized patrols, radio communication, and rapid response to aid
effective crime fighting.
c) Suggested the use of one-man patrols as the best way to deploy
police personnel, and the importance of rotating beat assignments
in order to fight police corruption
F. Community Era (1970 to present)
1. Research findings indicate that the professional model was not
working:
a) Increasing the number of patrol officers in a neighborhood was
found to have little effect on crime.
b) Rapid response to calls for service does not greatly increase the
arrest of criminals.
c) It is difficult, if not impossible, to improve rates of solving crimes.
G. Service to the community
1. In the 1970’s there was a movement away from the crime-fighting
focus of law enforcement towards a greater emphasis on maintaining
order and providing service to the community.
2. It was suggested that police officers get out of their patrol cars and
spend more time on the street assisting citizens, while maintaining their
crime-fighting role.
Activities
1. Students may play the Match Game to practice key terms and definitions. Use
the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
2. Timeline Project: Have students work individually or in pairs to research the “Top
10 Duties of Law Enforcement” for each of the following time periods: Egyptian
Civilization, Greek Civilization, Roman Civilization, 900 to 1066 A.D., 1066 to
1326 A.D., 1326 to 1700 A.D., 1700 to 1829 A.D., and 1829 to the present.
Then students will locate royalty free or public domain images to illustrate the
key points of research. Students will use their research and images to create a
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pictorial timeline for display in the classroom, or a computer-based presentation.
Use the Individual Work Rubric and the Presentation Rubric as needed for
assessment.
Assessments
History of Law Enforcement Quiz and Key
Discussion Rubric
Presentation Rubric
Materials
History of Law Enforcement computer-based presentation
History of Law Enforcement Match Game
History of Law Enforcement Key Terms
Poster boards and markers or computer-based presentation software
Computers with Internet access
Resources
0205366937, Criminal Justice, Fagin, James A., Pearson, 2003
1598840436, Policing in America: A Reference Handbook, Steverson, Leonard A.,
ABC-CLIO, 2007
0072559519, Criminology (4th Edition), Adler, Freda, McGraw-Hill, 2001
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, the student will define and illustrate the key terms in a journal.
Use the Individual Work Rubric for assessment.
For enrichment, the student will create their own 12 principles of policing then
compare and contrast them to Sir Robert Peel’s 12 principles. Use the Individual
Work Rubric for assessment.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
§130.293. Law Enforcement I. (One to Two Credits).
(1) The student explores the history of law enforcement. The student is expected to:
(A) trace the history of law enforcement from pre-industrial Europe,
nineteenth century England, and the United States through contemporary
policing in the United States; and
(B) identify core issues in the development of law enforcement such as
centralization and authority.
College and Career Readiness Standards
V. Research
A. Formulate topic and questions
1. Formulate research questions.
2. Explore a research topic.
3. Refine research topic and devise a timeline for completing work.
C. Produce and design a document.
1. Design and present an effective product.
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2. Use source material ethically.
7
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History of Law Enforcement Key Terms
1. Bobbies – In 1829, English Parliament mandated a publicly funded police force throughout
England. They became known as the “bobbies.”
2. Constables – Local level individuals who assisted the shire reeve and organized posses to
chase and apprehend criminals
3. Frankpledge System – A form of community policing instituted by King William in 1066.
4. Tithing – In the Frankpledge System, every male over twelve years of age was required to
form a group of ten families called a “tithing.”
5. Sir Robert Peel – A member of the English Parliament in 1829, who led the mandating of a
publicly funded police force throughout England via the London Metropolitan Police Act. He
advocated the 12 principles of policing.
6. Shires – Ten “tithings” were grouped together to form a hundred, and these consolidated
groups were called shires.
7. Henry Fielding – A London magistrate who, in 1748, formed a group of law enforcement
agents to apprehend criminals and recover stolen property from the entertainment district.
They were called the “Bow Street Runners.”
8. Justice of the Peace – In 1326, the shire reeve was replaced with the office of the justice of
the peace.
9. Night Watch System – In England, the night watch system provided citizens with protection
from crime. During times of duress, the men on watch would raise the hue and cry to summon
assistance from the citizens of the community or, in the case of a larger community, from
others already on watch. The watch standers were equipped with various signaling devices,
including bells, ratchets, and rattles.
10. Shire Reeves – The top law enforcement official, who was the forerunner of the American
sheriff
11. Peelers – Another name for the “bobbies” because of Sir Robert Peel’s influence in creating
the force
12. Politeria – The Greek word that “police” is derived from.
13. Pharaoh Hur Moheb – Established the first recorded police organization in Egypt around 1340
B.C.
14. Law Enforcement – The most visible representatives of the criminal justice system; typically
citizens’ most common and direct contact with law enforcement
15. Police – Entrusted to serve and protect the public, and to control and prevent crime
8
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16. Political Era – 1840’s to 1920’s: the period when police agencies were first established to
provide a unified law enforcement force in the major American cities
17. Reform Era – Wanted to take law enforcement out of politics, introduce modern technology to
make law enforcement more efficient, and establish police administrative boards that were
responsible for appointing police administrators and controlling police affairs
18. Professional Era – 1920’s to 1970’s: the period when there was a call for the establishment of
measures to assist law enforcement agencies to improve their effectiveness and become more
professional
19. Community Model Era – 1970’s to the present: the period when it was advocated for law
enforcement to move away from the crime-fighting focus of law enforcement towards a greater
emphasis on maintaining order and providing service to the community
20. August Vollmer – Was known as the most famous police reformer in the early part of the
twentieth century. He believed the police should be a professional force.
21. Spoils – A system that used political power to hire supporters and fire those considered
disloyal. This led to a period of incompetent, corrupt, and disliked police force.
22. O.W. Wilson – A student of Vollmer’s who advocated for law enforcement agencies to employ
technological advances, such as motorized patrols, effective radio communications, and rapid
response to aid effective crime fighting
9
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MATCH GAME
Vocabulary
SELECT
A
E
A
Shire Reeves
B
F
B
C
D
Pharaoh Hur
Moheb
I
F
G
G
J
H
Politeria
J
1000 Pts
Pharaoh
Hur
Moheb
K
M
K
L
L
M
Constables
1000 Pts
N
N
Pts
Sir1000
Robert
Peel
O
1000
Pts
Politeria
Constables
H
I
1000 Pts
Frankpledge
System
Night Watch
System
Frankpledge
System
D
E
Justice of the
Peace
Sir Robert Peel
C
MATCH
O
1000Watch
Pts
Night
System
P
Shire
Reeves
1000
Pts
P
Justice
the
1000 of
Pts
Peace
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Match Game Instruction Sheet
1. Divide the class into two teams.
2. Each team creates a team name and selects a team captain.
3. Determine who goes first (coin toss, draw straws, etc.).
4. The first team captain selects a letter from one of the “Select” columns (A-H).
5. The teacher reads the question or definition corresponding to the letter on the Match Game Terms
Sheet. Do not read the term in italics.
6. The first team must give the answer that matches the question or definition. The captain gives the
answer.
7. The teacher clicks on and moves the covering text box to the right or left side of the grid to reveal
the answer (left side for first team; right side for second team).
8. If the answer revealed is not the same as that given by the first team captain, the teacher recovers the square with the text box and play goes to the second team.
9. If the answer revealed is the same as that given by the first team captain, the first team has the
opportunity to select a letter under the “Match” columns (I-P). The captain says the letter name.
10. The teacher moves the text box off of the square. If the same answer appears on the “Match
Side,” the first team has won 1000 points, and the teacher moves the blue text box (with “1000
pts”) to the left side, on top of the red text box from the “Select” column. Play then goes to the
second team.
11. If a different answer appears under the “Match” square, the teacher will re-cover both squares with
their respective text boxes and play goes to the second team.
12. Play continues until a match has been made for every question.
13. The team with highest number of points wins.
14. No player may have notes or definitions in view.
15. No player may take notes of the terms as they are revealed.
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Match Game Questions
Vocabulary:
A.
The top law enforcement officials, who were the forerunner of the American sheriff
Shire Reeves
B.
A member of the English Parliament in 1829. He led the mandating of a publicly funded police
force throughout England, via the London Metropolitan Police Act. (Additional – He advocated
the 12 principles of policing)
Sir Robert Peel
C.
A form of community policing instituted by King William in 1066
Frankpledge System
D.
Established the first recorded police organization in Egypt around 1340 B.C.
Pharaoh Hur Moheb
E.
Replaced the office of shire reeve in 1326
Justice of the Peace
F.
During times of duress, the men on watch would raise the hue and cry to summon assistance
from the citizens of the community. What is this known as?
Night Watch System
G.
Local level that assisted the shire reeve and organized posses to chase and apprehend
criminals
Constables
H.
The Greek word that police is derived from
Politeria
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MATCH GAME
Vocabulary
SELECT
A
MATCH
E
Shire Reeves
B
I
Justice of the Peace
F
Sir Robert Peel
C
Pharaoh Hur Moheb
Frankpledge System
J
Night Watch System
G
Frankpledge System
D
M
N
Pharaoh Hur Moheb
K
Constables
H
Sir Robert Peel
O
Politeria
L
Politeria
Constables
Night Watch System
P
Shire Reeves
Justice of the Peace
13
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Name:_________________________
Date:___________________________
History of Law Enforcement Quiz
______ 1. Where was the first recorded police organization established?
a. London
b. Greece
c. Egypt
d. Rome
______ 2. The concept of enforcement districts or precincts was contributed by whom?
a. Egyptians
b. Greeks
c. English
d. Romans
______ 3. The
was instituted by King William in 1066.
a. Frankpledge System
b. Justice of the Peace
c. London Metropolitan Police Act
d. Night Watch System
______ 4. Police are entrusted to serve and protect the public.
a. True
b. False
______ 5. In ________ B.C. the first recorded police organization occurred.
a. 900
b. 1285
c. 1340
d. 1748
______ 6. The word police is derived from the Greek word___________.
a. Politicos
b. Policia
c. Politeria
d. Politics
______ 7. Every male over twelve years of age was required to form a group of ten families called
____________.
a. Shire reeve
b. Bobbies
c. Shires
d. Tithings
______ 8. In 1326, the shire reeve was replaced with the_____________________.
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a. Constable
b. Justice of the peace
c. Shire
d. Peel’s
______ 9. Henry Fielding formed “The Bow Street Runners” in 1748.
a. True
b. False
______ 10. Sir Robert Conan Doyle advocated the 12 principles of policing.
a. True
b. False
______ 11. What era of law enforcement emphasizes the need for police officers to be in close
contact with the public?
a. Political Era
b. Reform Era
c. Professional Era
d. Community Model Era
______ 12. What is a system called where an elected official fired those government employees not
loyal to him, and appointed political supporters to those jobs?
a. Home Rule
b. Spoils
c. Reforms
d. Political favor
______ 13. The era concerned with stamping out corruption and improving law enforcement
efficiency.
a. Reform Era
b. Professional Era
c. Community Model Era
d. Political Era
______ 14. The most famous police reformer in the early part of the 20th century was who?
a. Stephen Girard
b. J. Edgar Hoover
c. August Vollmer
d. O.W. Wilson
______ 15. The era that called for the establishment of measures to assist law enforcement agencies
to improve their effectiveness and to become more professional.
a. Professional Era
b. Community Model Era
c. Reform era
d. Political Era
15
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______16. The Political Era was when the need for law enforcement to be in close contact with the
public was advocated.
a. True
b. False
______17. O.W. Wilson helped develop the School of Criminology at the University of California at
Berkley.
a. True
b. False
______18. Who proposed the ideal of motorized patrols?
a. O. W. Wilson
b. August Vollmer
c. Stephen Girard
d. Marshall Tate
______19. During which era was a unified law enforcement force established?
a. Community Model Era
b. Reform Era
c. Political Era
d. Professional Era
______20. O.W. Wilson introduced the importance of rotating beat assignments in order to fight
police corruption.
a. True
b. False
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History of Law Enforcement Quiz Key
1. C
2. D
3. A
4. A
5. C
6. C
7. D
8. B
9. A
10. B
11. D
12. B
13. A
14. C
15. A
16. B
17. B
18. A
19. C
20. A
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
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Name______________________________________
Date_______________________________________
Individual Work Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Follows directions
Student completed the work as directed,
following the directions given, in order and to the
level of quality indicated
Time management
Student used time wisely and remained on task
100% of the time
Organization
Student kept notes and materials in a neat,
legible, and organized manner. Information was
readily retrieved
Evidence of learning
Student documented information in his or her
own words and can accurately answer questions
related to the information retrieved
*Research/Gathering information (if relevant)
Student used a variety of methods and sources
to gather information. Student took notes while
gathering information
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Presentation Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Topic/Content
 Topic discussed completely and in-depth
 Includes properly cited sources (if used)
Creativity/Neatness
 Integrates a variety of multimedia effects
to create a professional presentation
(transition and graphics) or appropriate
visual aid used
 Title slide, table of contents, bibliography
are included, using acceptable format
Mechanics
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization are correct
 Image and font size are legible to the
entire audience
Oral Presentation
 Communicates with enthusiasm and eye
contact
 Voice delivery and projection are
dynamic and audible
Audience Interaction
 Presentation holds audience’s attention
and relates a clear message
 Clearly and effectively communicates the
content throughout the presentation
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
20
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