Reading Assignment for Section 1.5

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 1.5: The Reform Era and Its Aftermath

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll explore the goals and outcomes of the police reform movement, focusing on efforts to professionalize policing and eliminate political influence. You’ll learn about key reforms, such as the findings of the Wickersham Commission and the adoption of new technologies that transformed policing strategies. Finally, you’ll examine the impact of social and political movements, as well as groundbreaking research studies, in shaping modern policing practices and strengthening community relations.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 1.5

• SLO 1: Explain the goals of the police reform movement, including the push to eliminate political influence and professionalize policing.
• SLO 2: Analyze the impact of the Wickersham Commission on policing strategies, including the shift toward crime-fighting and the adoption of new technologies.
• SLO 3: Evaluate the unintended consequences of police professionalization, such as reduced community interaction and trust.
• SLO 4: Assess the role of social and political movements in the 1960s and 1970s in shaping modern policing strategies and promoting reforms.
• SLO 5: Discuss the evolution of research in policing, including the Kansas City Experiment and problem-oriented policing, and explain how these studies influenced modern law enforcement practices.