In the post-Civil War era, municipal police departments increasingly turned their attention to strike-breaking. By the late 19th century union organizing and labor unrest was widespread in the United States. New York City had 5,090 strikes, involving almost a million workers from 1880 to 1900; Chicago had 1,737 strikes, involving over a half a million...Read More

Maintaining a stable and disciplined work force for the developing system of factory production and ensuring a safe and tranquil community for the conduct of commerce required an organized system of social control. The developing profit-based system of production antagonized social tensions in the community. Inequality was increasing rapidly; the exploitation of workers through long...Read More

The development of policing in the United States closely followed the development of policing in England. In the early colonies policing took two forms. It was both informal and communal, which is referred to as the "Watch," or private-for-profit policing, which is called "The Big Stick” (Spitzer, 1979).Read More

One of the more obscure requirements in the police recruitment and employment process is the residency requirement. People interested in becoming a police officer are often unaware that some agencies still have residency requirements.  While large local police departments recruit officers from around the country, other smaller agencies often have strict residency requirements limiting recruitment...Read More

In many, if not most countries, the police are organized on a national basis. But in the United States policing is fragmented into federal, state and local levels of organization. The rationale for this fragmentation can be found in two beliefs. First, in the early days of the Republic citizens were afraid of a federally...Read More

Police agencies strive to project a professional image by hiring highly-educated and well-trained officers. However, in an article published by the International Association of Chiefs of Police, policing is described as lagging behind other ‘helping professions’ (including nursing, health, teaching, social work and psychology) in achieving this goal. These careers tend to have entry-level requirements...Read More

The 2013 Boston Marathon will be forever etched into our memories. Two Improvised Explosive Devices were detonated at the finish line causing three deaths and over 180 injuries. The explosion is a reminder to all of how vulnerable we are to cowardly acts of violence. From the initial response by first responders to the crisis...Read More

There are many factors that come into play when making the decision to enter police work. First, there is job security. Second, people choose to become police officers to help people and “fight crime.” Some people think policing will lead to a life of excitement and a prestigious place in the community.Read More

I am often asked by my students why they have to take the course entitled Applied Criminal Justice Analysis, which is a statistics course that I have taught at EKU for the past 16 years. I usually provide general explanations, such as how we are all consumers of research and it is necessary to be...Read More

During the first meeting of a research methods or criminal justice analysis class, I always ask the students about their preliminary impressions of the course and its relation to the field. Over the years, the response for many students is consistent: “I am going to be a police officer and knowing about research and data...Read More