Police chiefs
Police chiefs play a vital role in the functioning of law enforcement agencies, overseeing the operations of police departments. Originating in the mid-nineteenth century, the position has evolved significantly; while early police leaders were known as "superintendents," modern chiefs have diverse responsibilities that vary based on the size and needs of their departments. In small towns, a police chief might be the sole paid officer, while in large cities, they may lead thousands of personnel. Unlike elected sheriffs, police chiefs are typically appointed by mayors or police commissions, which can also include the role of police commissioner.
The primary functions of a police chief involve administrative and managerial responsibilities, ensuring compliance with local and state laws. A significant milestone in the history of this role was the establishment of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) in 1893, aimed at fostering collaboration among police leaders. Innovators like August Vollmer are recognized for shaping modern policing, advocating for educated officers and addressing the societal factors contributing to crime. In recent years, heightened scrutiny over police conduct has prompted discussions around cultural reform within police departments, with initiatives like The Curve emerging to enhance community trust and improve practices in crisis situations.
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Police chiefs
SIGNIFICANCE: Establishment of the office of chief of police is crucial to enabling the successful operation and underpinnings of a police department.
The history of police chiefs can be traced to the mid-nineteenth century, when the highest-ranking police officers in American cities were called “superintendents.” The duties of modern police chiefs, like those of their predecessors, are varied and are functions of the composition of the departments in which the chiefs work. For example, a small-town chief of police may be the town’s only salaried law-enforcement officer, assisted by numerous volunteers. By contrast, a police chief in a large metropolitan area may command thousands of sworn officers, along with thousands of civilian employees. In direct contrast to sheriffs, who are usually elected county officials, police chiefs are commonly appointed by mayors or police commissions. In some jurisdictions, police commissioners also serve as police chiefs.
The main function of any chief of police is to perform administrative and managerial functions directly related to supervising the activities of the police department. In addition, the chief also acts as the main facilitator in the enforcement of all city statutes and state laws for which the police department is held accountable.
In 1893, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) was formed as a professional organization designed to facilitate exchanges of information and experiences among police administrators throughout the world. One of the most influential chiefs of police was August Vollmer, who became the first police chief of the newly created police department of Berkeley, California, in 1909. Vollmer pioneered the use of automobiles in patrols, established the first police training school, served as president of the IACP in the 1920s, and created the first academic criminology curriculum in the United States in 1939. He believed educated officers who could address social issues that led to crime were the keys to effective policing. Many view Vollmer as the founder of modern professional policing because of his countless innovations in the establishment of police professionalism.
In the twenty-first century, the proliferation of technology led to greater awareness of police brutality. News, bystander video, and police bodycams recorded events including the deaths of civilians--many of them Black--at the hands of police officers. In the 2020s, leaders talked about changing police culture. A group of sheriffs and chiefs of police worked to refine the mission of policing and recommend practices to protect civilians in crisis. They founded a nonprofit called The Curve to change the policing culture and work to regain public trust in law enforcement.
Bibliography
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Jones, Phill. "August Vollmer: Police Reformer." History Magazine 12.5 (2011): 12–13. Print.
Miller, L., and Karen Hess. Police in the Community: Strategies for the Twenty-first Century. 3rd ed. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2002. Print.
Newitz, Annalee. "How the Father of Modern Policing 'Abolished' the Police." The New York Times, 3 June 2021, www.nytimes.com/2021/06/03/opinion/august-vollmer-abolish-police.html. Accessed 9 July 2024.
Schmalleger, Frank. Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the Twenty-first Century. 8th ed. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2005. Print.
Smith, Carl. "Police Chiefs Reimagine the Mission and Culture of Law Enforcement." Governing, 10 Nov. 2023, www.governing.com/community/police-chiefs-reimagine-the-mission-and-culture-of-law-enforcement. Accessed 9 July 2024.
"Who We Are." The Curve, 2023, www.thecurve.org/who-we-are. Accessed 9 July 2024.