Acknowledging Existence of a Fourth Era of Policing: The Information Era

Michael K Hooper

doi:10.17303/jfrcs.2014.103

Abstract

The main objective of this research paper is to enable formal acknowledgement of a fourth era of policing within the body of knowledge comprising the evolution of American policing. The history of policing continues to be documented in the context of three eras: political, reform, and community. The Community Era typically encompasses 1970 through the present time. Research reveals that significant information-based policing strategies have emerged during the 1990s and have been predominant during the 21st Century. These strategies include evidence-based policing, intelligence-led policing, and predictive policing. Tools integral to the strategies include crime analysis and CompStat. Formal, widespread recognition of a fourth era of policing, termed the “Information Era,” can encapsulate the disparate information-based strategies. This categorization by the core attribute in common, i.e., information, not only delineates the end of one era and the beginning of another but also facilitates evaluation of the direction policing is taking and enables any course corrections to be taken in a timely and coordinated manner.

Highlights

Policing within the United States has to date been viewed widely as having evolved through three eras: political, reform, and community
Formation of a fourth era, which could be named the Information Era, has occurred through the confluence of phenomena occurring during the late 20th Century and early 21st Century
Predominant law enforcement strategies that have arisen in the era include evidence-based policing, intelligence-led policing, and predictive policing

Summary

Introduction

Policing within the United States has to date been viewed widely as having evolved through three eras: political, reform, and community. Formation of a fourth era, which could be named the Information Era, has occurred through the confluence of phenomena occurring during the late 20th Century and early 21st Century These phenomena are (1) increased accountability (both within agencies and by governmental oversight authorities), (2) “informatization” (extent to which society has become information-based), (3) and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Creation of a single organizing framework, i.e., a fourth era, for the strategies that have ensued beyond community policing provides for a macro perspective and common categorization for discussion and analysis of operative strategies It is anticipated this will help the policing profession examine what the past and present portend for the future. 20th Century reform measures, originating from both internal and external forces, shaped policing well into the 1970s [6]

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