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Before formal police departments were established in England, the first policing system used was the bohr system, which were small groups of men responsible for each other’s behavior. After the Norman invasion of 1066, it was replaced by the frankpledge system, where tithings of ten households ensured accused members appeared in court or everyone faced penalties. (Rennison Dodge, 2021, p. 95). This introduced collective responsibility and accountability, later influencing American policing. -
In 1704, a new way of monitoring slaves was introduced. Slave patrols were made up of 3-6 white men that regulated the behavior of enslaved individuals and punished escaped slaves. The use of slave patrols spread throughout the South and laid the foundation for more legislative laws, such as the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850.(Rennison Dodge, 2021, p. 98) -
In North Carolina, there was an uproar of armed, low-class citizens that turned on colonial officials, accusing them of collecting taxes for their own personal gain, and wanted a more honest government. The militia, however, intervened and halted this protest. In South Carolina, during the 1760's, citizens turned against officials, but because of outlaw gangs that attacked the citizens. This is what resulted in funding for crime improvements.(Rennison Dodge, 2021, p. 98)
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Sir Robert Peel, England's home secretary, replaced the earlier policing system of Britain, constables and watchmen, with London's Metropolitan Police Force. Although this agency had many flaws including bribery and corruption, crime rate dropped significantly. Peel also created the Peelian principles, which led to modern police systems. (Rennison Dodge, 2021, p. 96) -
In 1850, the U.S. Congress introduced the Fugitive Slave Law, which penalized anyone aiding runaways with up to 6 months in prison or a $1,000 fine. This law intensified the surveillance and punishment of both free and enslaved Black individuals, influenced by the brutal tactics of early slave patrols. This laid the foundation for more racialized policing in years to come. (Rennison Dodge, 2021, p. 98) -
The IACP first took form in 1871, and the goal of this association was to discuss policing issues but after the first meeting, there were no more. In 1893, the chief of police started up this organization once more, but again, the meeting was unsuccessful. In 1921, the second president of IACP made many advances in the organization such as advocating for a fingerprint collection system and having a uniform crime data, which is now used by the FBI. (Rennison Dodge, 2021, pg. 100-102)
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After women were able to work in the police force, this sparked the ability for men and women of all races and sexualities to be police officers. 1872 was the year when black men were able to get jobs as police officers. The time of the first Hispanic officer isn't official, but 1868 or a couple years prior is when they were able to be in the police force. American Indians and Asians also became officers during this time period. People in the LGBTQ+ community were accepted closer to 2004.
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In the 1880s, Lucy Gray became the first LA police matron. She wasn't a police officer, but still performed the same duties as one. In 1893, Marie Owens was the first woman to carry out police duties in Chicago. She then held the sergeant rank and even enforced welfare laws. In 1905, Lola Baldwin was the first female police officer in Portland, Oregon. In 1910, Lola was the first full-time paid female officer. In 1916, Georgia Robinson was the first black female police officer in Los Angeles.