Modern Day Policing and Society: Analyzing Trends, Challenges & Future

This essay examines the evolution of American policing through its various eras, highlighting the political and reform eras, and their respective strengths and weaknesses. It addresses the significant challenges confronting law enforcement in the 21st century, including terrorism, social media's impact on legal proceedings, and the necessity for advanced training and equipment. The essay further explores the changes law enforcement is undergoing in leadership, structure, policy, and technology, with a focus on transparency, community relationships, and the integration of new technologies. It emphasizes the crucial role of public cooperation in effective law enforcement, advocating for mutual understanding between the police and the community to address existing challenges and improve overall efficiency. The essay concludes by highlighting the growing opportunities for women in the police force and the increasing threat of cybercrime.

Assignment 1: Modern Day Policing and
Society: Where Are We Headed?

Table of Contents
Answer 1....................................................................................................................................3
Answer 2....................................................................................................................................4
Answer 3....................................................................................................................................5
Answer 4....................................................................................................................................6
References..................................................................................................................................6

Answer 1
American policing has been progressing and continues to establish the balance between
protection of rights of the society assured by the Constitution as well as maintaining law and
order. However, there are three recognized eras of American policing, two have been
discussed here.
The Political Era (1840-1930) - During this era, the main function of the law enforcement
was to provide variety of social services to the community. Decentralization of police
department developed intimate relationship of police with the community. Police officers
used to establish and develop relationships with citizens. It used to be the responsibility of the
police officers to serve the community and meet the requirements of local political leaders.
Policing used to be highly corrupt during this period. The brutality of the police officers and
forced confessions from suspects ruled over their duties during this era. The prohibition gave
rise to organized crime which caused extensive police corruption (Bond, 2016).
Strengths - Variety of social services to the community, decentralization of police
department, intimate relationship of police with the community.
Weaknesses - Highly corrupt police department, brutality of the police officers, forced
confessions from suspects, rise of organized crime.
The Reform Era (1930-1980) - The Wickersham Commission prepared a report on the US
criminal justice system which led to the creation of reform era of American policing. During
this era, a crime control model came into existence and police department became
centralized. The relationship between police and community became professional. With the
technological development, patrolling in police vehicles and 911 emergency number reduced
response times of police for providing services. Due to deterioration of police relationship
with the community, people started mistrusting the local police department. Police were
viewed as aggressive and harassing community instead of being community protectors. By

establishing the law enforcement ethical codes of conduct, corruption was targeted. The law
enforcement became more efficient with better salaries, training, and scientific methods for
crime solving.
Strengths - Crime control model was established; police department became centralized,
patrolling in police vehicles and 911 emergency number reduced response times for police to
provide services, law enforcement ethical codes of conduct established, law enforcement
became more efficient.
Weaknesses - Deterioration of police relationship with the community, mistrusting the local
police department, police was viewed as aggressive and harassing community.
Answer 2
In the 21st century, the law enforcement is facing various challenges. These challenges
include gun violence, terrorism, gangs, cybercrimes, illegal narcotics, social media and such
others.
Terrorism - The existing policing methods are not in pace with the sophisticated urban
terrorist organizations who utilize technologically advanced weaponry, explosives as well as
guerrilla warfare tactics. It requires advanced training to police forces to combat against
them. Along with it, it has become the challenge for the law enforcement to create a balance
between the requirements of sophisticated military equipment against the public search
regarding the militarization of police (Myers, 2015). It affects the society to a greater extent
as terrorism creates terror and insufficient police actions make the society highly insecure in
their own country.
Social Media- The police cases are discussed on internet driving opinions from large number
of people. With the advanced use of technology and internet, the attorneys of plaintiffs or
defendants publicize their cases on social media in order to prejudice the decision of court

(Cappitelli, 2016). There is a need for ensuring control on sharing of such information only
up to some reasonable extent on social media. Society get affected by such information being
shared on social media and might get influenced by the better user of words or expression.
Answer 3
The law enforcement is facing various challenges while fighting against terrorism,
cybercrimes and in maintaining relationships with the community (Thompson, 2017). The
law enforcement is focusing on making significant changes in leadership aspects, structure,
policy as well as technology. Majority of police departments and agencies are;
 Becoming accustomed to high levels of transparency which was not in existence
before
 Becoming accustomed to innovative policies to promote improved police and
community relationships
 Establishing new technologies to help the police in performing their jobs efficiently
along with changing the way of interaction with the community
 Establishing in-depth understanding of the association between the education and
enforcement (University of San Diego, 2018).
In future, the policing or law enforcement trends will be;
 Emphasis on community -oriented policing
 Increasing utilization of tools and technologies
 Growing opportunities for women in police force
 Increasing threat of cybercrime.

Answer 4
In order to cooperate with the police, the role of public is considered as significant. In the
present context, the public is consistently becoming aware of their rights as well as duties and
view police as community protectors. The relationship between both of them can be
improved by their mutual understandings. The public should understand the strict procedures
of law enforcement and police should not harass society unnecessarily. With the mutual
understanding of both, the law enforcement will become efficient and be able to face the
challenges existing in front of them.
References
Bond, M. (2016). Eras in American Policing. Retrieved from andragogytheory.com:
https://andragogytheory.com/2016/01/05/eras-in-american-policing/
Cappitelli, P. (2016). 7 of the biggest issues facing law enforcement in 2016. Retrieved from
policeone.com: https://www.policeone.com/patrol-issues/articles/60959006-7-of-the-
biggest-issues-facing-law-enforcement-in-2016/
Myers, G. (2015). 10 Problems the United States Police System Needs to Address. Retrieved
from toptenz.net: http://www.toptenz.net/10-problems-united-states-police-system-
needs-address.php
Thompson, A. (2017). Challenges Facing Law Enforcement in the 21st Century.
University of San Diego. (2018). The top 5 trends in law enforcement. Retrieved from
sandiego.edu: https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/top-5-trends-in-law-enforcement