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Original Essays | November 5, 2009

John Buntin: IMG Notes from the (Bibliographic) Underground

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For more than 60 years, Los Angeles's origins, its underbelly, and (yes) its blondes have fueled the imagination of writers and directors from... Continue »
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    L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City

    John Buntin

The Role of Police in American Society: A Documentary History (Primary Documents in American History & Contemporary Issues)

by Bryan Vila

The Role of Police in American Society: A Documentary History (Primary Documents in American History & Contemporary Issues) Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

From the night watchmen of the 17th century to the highly publicized Rodney King hearings, the history and development of police policy and the role of police in American society are traced through this collection of 95 primary documents. Students, teachers, and interested readers can use this valuable resource to examine the development and role of the police in the United States through the words of the people who were involved in the struggle to enforce laws, uphold the Constitution, maintain safe and stable communities, and create efficient and effective police forces. An explanatory introduction precedes each document to aid the user in understanding the economic, political, social, and legislative forces that helped shape the role of the police in our society. Riots, strikes, commission reports, innovations, groundbreaking studies, and major court cases from different time periods are presented in a balanced manner. This volume is divided into seven parts, each part representing a different time period in which the roles of the police were being redefined. Vila and Morris present the reader with theories from different professionals on what the role of the police should be and how to develop these roles, as well as presenting successful and unsuccessful models to help readers draw their own conclusions.

Book News Annotation:

Traces the history and development of police policy and the role of police in American society through 95 primary documents. Speeches, conference proceedings, news stories, commission reports, and major court cases from different time periods are presented in a balanced manner, in chronological order. An explanatory introduction precedes each document to help readers in understanding the economic, political, social, and legislative forces shaping each document. Includes a chronology, a glossary, an appendix of selected cases, and a list of groups, organizations, and Web sites.
Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Review:

Fascinating stuff, well chosen, clearly edited, and comprehensive in its overview of what mattered in the creation of the American police.Otwin Marenin Professor Washington State University

Review:

Criminal justice practitioners and professionals can use this to identify key trends, and the general public will gain an understanding of changing police roles in American society.Library Journal

Review:

A wealth of useful and often interesting information for students of American policing can be found here.American Reference Books Annual

Review:

The editors have done an excellent job of locating and incorporating a tremendous amount of information. I learned a great deal reading the manuscript. This volume will become an invaluable reference work for students of police work.Geoffrey P. Alpert Professor, College of Criminal Justice University of South Carolina

Synopsis:

A collection of 95 primary documents tracing the history and development of police policy and the role of police in American society.
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About the Author

BRYAN VILA is Associate Professor of Political Science and Administration of Justice at the University of Wyoming.CYNTHIA MORRIS is a freelance researcher, writer and editor living in Laramie, WY.
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Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Night Watchmen, Constables, and Sheriffs: The Role of Early "Police" in Seventeenth-and Eighteenth- Century America

Rangers, Marshals, and Municipal Police Forces: The Role of the Police in the Nineteenth Century

Police Reform, and Social and Technological Advances in the Early Twentieth Century

A Growing Emphasis on Police Training, Professionalism, Efficiency, and Ethics, 1939-1959

Social Change and Conflicting Expectations of the Police Role, 1960-1978

Reexamining and Redefining the Role of the Police, 1979-1989

The Role of the Police in the 1990s

Glossary

Appendices

Selected Bibliography

Index

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Product Details

ISBN:
9780313301643
Subtitle:
A Documentary History
Editor:
Vila, Bryan
Editor:
Vila, Bryan
Editor:
Morris, Cynthia
Author:
Morris, Cynthia
Author:
Vila, Bryan
Editor:
Morris, Cynthia
Publisher:
Heinemann Educational Books
Location:
Westport, Conn. :
Subject:
History
Subject:
Criminology
Subject:
Law Enforcement
Subject:
Police
Subject:
Law enforcement -- United States -- History -- Sources.
Subject:
Political Freedom & Security - Law Enforcement
Subject:
Police -- United States -- History -- Sources.
Subject:
Law enforcement -- United States -- History.
Edition Description:
Hardcover
Series:
Primary Documents in American History & Contemporary Issues
Publication Date:
May 1999
Binding:
Hardcover
Grade Level:
College/higher education:
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Yes
Pages:
360
Dimensions:
9.00x6.00x.94 in. 1.54 lbs.
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