Historical Development of Law Enforcement

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Since 27 B.C. law enforcement has been used by humans as a means to defend property and keep peace. Law enforcement has been changing ever since it was created. It will keep changing for the greater good of the community as long is there is a continual need for law enforcement.

According to REAL POLICE. (N.D.) Para 5, the first organized police force was created by the great nephew of Julius Caesar, Gaius Octavius in 27 B.C. These men were called Vigiles. The Vigiles were armed with wooden clubs and small swords. They were formed to perform two duties, fight fires in the city and arrest law breakers. The prefect of the Vigiles became a powerful man. He had the ability to judge and sentence lawbreakers.

In 1200 A.D., English law enforcement evolved into agents called bailiffs. These men were the original peace keepers. They stood night watches to spot thieves and fires. The bailiffs were not tasked with crime prevention, but merely to alert the sleeping public and create a posse to deal with any situation. They worked by staying in one place, a post, and listening for cries of distress from the public. If a cry was heard, the bailiff would bang on every door he could to gather up the townspeople. Once a posse was formed, it would search the city for the law violator. Once the violator was found, a fair trial was not offered. The posses would usually beat or kill the person it suspected committed the crime. This process of gathering the townspeople to punish a crime was called the hue and cry method (Schmalleger, 2005).

In the 1600’s, American colonies used a law enforcement system like England’s. The colonies used the hue and cry method along with a night watch (bailiff). The mid 1600’s slight improvements ...

... middle of paper ...

... Local law enforcement, known as municipal law, has the largest number of employees. Local law also has the largest amount of precincts. In 2000, 12,666 police departments employed 566,000 people. Local law enforcement is made up of police officers you see on a daily basis driving around town. Schmalleger (2005).

Much has changed since Gaius Octavius created the Vigiles in 27 B.C. Law enforcement has come from posses beating criminals to specializing into three distinct jurisdictions. History has shown that law enforcement must change with the times.

Refrences

Schmalleger, F. (2005). Criminal Justice Today : An Introductory Text for the 21st Century (8th ed.). Upper Saddle River, Pearson Prentice Hall.

Unknown (2001). Real Police, History of Police. PG# 1-11

International Association of Women Police (N.D.).Past and Present, 1915-today. PG# 1-4

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