Reading Assignment for Section 1.2

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 1.2: Policing in Early America.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll learn about the role of sheriffs and night watches in Colonial America and how these early practices laid the foundation for modern policing. You’ll also explore the development of professional policing in cities like Philadelphia and New York, including innovations such as 24/7 patrols and law enforcement funding through taxes. Lastly, you’ll examine the impact of social changes and the controversial history of slave patrols, reflecting on their influence on modern policing and community relations.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 1.2

• SLO 1: Explain the role of the sheriff in Colonial America and how it differed from modern policing practices.
• SLO 2: Describe the establishment and purpose of night watches in early American cities and evaluate their effectiveness in maintaining public safety.
• SLO 3: Analyze the development of professional policing in Philadelphia and New York City, including the introduction of taxes for law enforcement funding and the shift to 24/7 patrols.
• SLO 4: Assess the impact of social and cultural changes in Colonial America on the evolution of policing methods and community relations.
• SLO 5: Examine the historical role of slave patrols in early American policing and discuss their lasting influence on modern law enforcement practices and racial dynamics.