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This method of policing is one of the earliest recorded methods. It goes back to early humans and clans, so BCE. It is unclear when it was created, so I provided an estimate, assuming it was created before 3000 BCE. This type of policing included families, clans, and tribes that enforced rules and customs. Each member from a different family was the one who created and enforced specific laws, which were often cruel or harsh. (Origins and Evolution of American Policing, 2011). -
The praefectus urbi is the first law enforcement position that is known to have been paid. The person who was given that position was given the job to maintain law, order, and security in Rome. (Origins and Evolution of American Policing, 2011). -
The first night watch was created in Boston in 1636. The role of the night watch was to warn people of danger, but the issues with these watches were that a lot of the watchmen would just sleep or drink rather than do their job. (Potter, 2013). -
The night watches continued until after the American Revolution. Around the 1830s, the idea of a municipal police department was created in the US. Then, in 1838, Boston created its first American Police Force. (Potter, 2013). -
In the US, forensic science was first introduced when a man named Francis Galton brought attention to a method for analyzing fingerprints. This method was a big step in policing and is still used today. (Zbrog, 2020). -
During the civil rights movement, there was a lot of police violence. This movement uncovered a lot of racial bias within law enforcement in the US and allowed for reforms to be created to allow more equality and justice in the legal system. (Kennedy 2024). -
SWAT was created as a response to gun violence, violent protests, and riots. The first SWAT team was introduced in Los Angeles. SWAT changed policing by giving officers the tools and resources they need to carry out plans to handle violent incidents. (County, 2019). -
President Nixon declared the War on Drugs on June 17th, 1971. He declared this because drug use had become a "national emergency," and it was becoming a public issue. (ACLU, 2024). -
The DEA was created shortly after the War on Drugs as a way to deal with illicit controlled substances. It also allowed for more influence of US policing in other parts of the world, like the Middle East. (Federal Register, 2019). -
When George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis in 2020, there were a lot of people who took part in numerous racial justice protests. The murder highlighted police brutality similar to how the Civil Rights Movement did, but this time, new police technology was created to prevent issues like what happened with George Floyd. (Silverstein, 2021).