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A cartoon satirizing the 19th-century rascal, Boss Tweed.Police work in America began with its various titles and responsibilities imported by the British, who arrived to colonize the new territory. In most colonial jurisdictions, the county sheriff -- sometimes called a town constable, or marshal -- was the primary local law-enforcement official. The sheriff followed up complaints, but did not initiate investigations, nor did they actively patrol the areas that they served -- an inconsistency that some areas recognized by starting their own night watches to ward off crime and general disorder. The first organized department formed in Boston, in 1838, growing out of a night watch that had existed for nearly two centuries. New York City followed suit in 1844. By and large, however, law enforcement remained a local function, with little in the way of standardized training. The willingness of 19th-century boodlers such as New York's notorious Boss Tweed to bend departments to their will also did little to inspire public confidence. -
August Vollmer working at his desk around 1925.The collapse of personal living standards during the Great Depression -- and the epidemic of lawlessness that resulted -- forced departments to dramatically professionalize training and organization. Key figures in this 1920s- and 1930s-era movement included the police chief of Berkeley, Calif., August Vollmer. By pushing for a central records system, equipping officers with radios, and putting them on motorcycles -- among other reforms -- Vollmer became known as "the father of modern law enforcement." Merit promotion was also put into place at scandal-shaken departments like that of Minneapolis -- whose top detective, Tom Brown, was forced out amid revelations that he regularly tipped off known criminals in exchange for payoffs and other favors. -
Dealing with tragedy is a major source of police stress.Police work can be divided into three functions. At the most basic level, officers serve as a liaison to their communities, which can range from doing first aid, to helping stranded motorists or intervening in civil disputes and other emergencies. This notion took hold after the 1960s and 1970s, when countercultural challenges to police authority forced departments to reconsider how their officers interacted with local residents. Officers also keep order by providing traffic control, serving writs, and easing minor nuisances such as public intoxication. Finally, police are expected to control and prevent criminal behaviors, the most frequently depicted part of their job in popular media. - Careful review of the pros and cons is recommended before starting a police career. On the plus side, the job offers a different challenge every day and the chance to interact with all types of people; boredom is not an issue. Officer can also solve problems by being able to stand back and consider the wider implications of a person's behavior; few jobs offer the chance to make this kind of direct contribution. On the negative side, officers suffer higher alcoholism, divorce and suicide rates than the general population, and the job's never-ending demands may strain personal relationships to a degree not seen in other occupations.
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Departments are striving to get closer to the communities that they serve.Police-department benefits tend to be significantly better than most private-sector jobs, particularly since they allow the chance to retire after 20 years with a full pension. Continuing concerns about crime -- and the public's willingness to underwrite the costs of controlling it -- also signal good prospects for finding a job. However, competition is becoming keener than ever, partly because of greater public interest raised by reality-TV shows, and periodic recessions that make police work a more appealing career choice. To weather these phenomenons, potential officers will have to sharpen their skills and abilities to land the more desirable jobs they are seeking.
