Timeline by

Formation of the First Modern Police Forces*

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 04:58:48 UTC

In 1829, the British parliament passed the Metropolitan Police Act; this bill created the first modern police force to oversee life within London. This was so important because it laid the foundation for modern law enforcement, establishing the principles of policing and what they were created to do. Though this is ver baseline I was unaware that the first police force was established in the UK.

Slave Patrols

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 05:04:19 UTC

In the 1850s, the southern states formalized slave patrols to monitor and control enslaved populations; they were there to ensure that the laws that governed their behavior and maintained the institution of slavery were being properly enforced. This was a vital time for policing because it established a false sense of morality in police brutality and racial oppression, this was the start of systemic racism in law enforcement.

Civil Rights Movement and Police Violence

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 05:11:13 UTC

In the 1960s, large protests during the Civil Rights Movement began to expose racism in policing, with police frequently responding aggressively to peaceful demonstrations. This, I would say, is one of the most important parts of this timeline because it shows the brutality faced by activists that led to national outrage, which we have seen heavily in our generation with the BLM movement. This raised awareness of the need for reform in law enforcement.

Prohibition and Police Corruption*

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 05:30:30 UTC

The enactment of Prohibition from 1920-1933 led to increased police corruption as officers were bribed to overlook illegal activities related to alcohol. This era highlights the complex relationship between law enforcement and crime, revealing how laws can impact police integrity and community trust. I have never heard of prohibition but I think it highlights an important part of corruption you still see in law enforcement.

The Kerner Commission Report*

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 05:35:51 UTC

In 1967, President Lyndon B. Johnson launched an investigation into the cause of race riots and recommended reforms to improve police-community relations. This report really stresses that policing must address social inequalities and promote community trust. After learning about the report, I think this was one of the first steps made towards improving the policing systems, even if it wasn't the most effective.

Rodney King Beating

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 05:44:44 UTC

In 1991, a video captured the brutal beating of Rodney King by LAPD officers ignited an uproar of national protests against police brutality. This incident served as a turning point in the perception of policing; it was one of the first times modern technology really captured a brutal hate crime in this light and showed the use of excessive force.

Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 05:56:13 UTC

The Law Enforcement Act was created in 1994, and because of that, police forces were provided with significant funding and really emphasized "tough on crime" policies. This act led to the heavy militarization of policing. This was so important because it really contributed to the era of mass incarceration, which reflected a shift in the priority of enforcement over community relations.

Post 9/11 Policing

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 06:00:41 UTC

On September 11th, 2001, the US faced one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in the world; this resulted in increased federal funding for local police and also the adoption of counter-terrorism measures. This event really expanded the role of police in national security, raising concerns about civil liberties and the more militant style of law enforcement.

Ferguson Protests

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 06:04:42 UTC

In 2014, protests erupted in Ferguson, Missouri, following the police shooting of Michael Brown, bringing attention to the issue of racial profiling in law enforcement. This event became a focal point for the Black Lives Matter movement, sparking national interest in race, corrupt police forces, and the need for reform.

The Murder of George Floyd

elliegb1 — 2024-10-30 06:11:49 UTC

In 2020, the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer enraged the world and ignited worldwide protests against the use of excessive force and police brutality. Floyd is shown on video repeatedly trying to say he can not breathe, and later, his cause of death was revealed to be a lack of oxygen. This was a vital time in the Black Lives Matter protest and shone a light, especially to younger generations, on how severe the problem of racism in the police force had become.