The Evolution of Policing in America & Learning to Think for Yourself

ETM gets a mini history lesson!

As police brutality continues in America, it brings up an interesting point in regards to the responsibilities of the organization. I did some research so I could learn for myself the history of the police department in America and how that evolved into what it is today. After reading a few accounts from historians and police reformers, I learned a lot about the initial roots of the organization and was surprised to know that very early on, it became a way to protect the wealthy and keep control of minority populations. Understanding the complete history of this "prestigious" American institution can aid us in our discussion about next moves for policing in America. This brings up another important topic of authority and why we were conditioned to never question it. These ideals bleed into our own individual lives, where we sometimes police ourselves and others due to this imaginary authority figure that we must obey. It's necessary to educate ourselves so that we can create an informed and cohesive community with which to create new traditions and standards that embrace diversity and respect our citizens.

If you are interested in reading the articles I found, here are some links!

The History of Policing in the United States by Dr. Gary Potter

The Evolving Strategy of Police: A Minority View by Hubert Williams and Patrick V. Murphy

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