The main concern of the police in America is to maintain order and enforce criminal laws within its jurisdiction and mission. However, this has taken a new twist following the metamorphosis of various dynamics of modern society. Besides enforcing the order, the mission of policing is to investigate activities suspected as criminal and refer the outcome to the court of law. It is also mandated the responsibility of first responders in emergency situations and warrant enforcement (Keller and Merry, 2002).
According to Keller and Merry (2002), the major operational strategies adopted by the police include response strategy following the introduction of telephone, two-way radio, and car in the mid 20th century, making its operations more centralized. Besides, professionalism and constant rotation of officers in different stations as a strategy have minimized conflict of interest and corruption as these officers have limited time per station for truancy opportunities. Moreover, the introduction of public relations training has enacted reforms in the reactive approach of policing and embraced information-based and problem-oriented responses (Keller and Merry, 2002).
The different styles of policing include the watchman, legalistic, and service-inspired patterns. Under the watchman style, the emphasis is on enforcing the order. The legalistic style emphasizes professionalism in law enforcement for reform-minded citizens. In addition, the Service style operates on the realms of police work to citizens who might request individual attention (Keller and Merry, 2002).
According to Keller and Merry (2002), the criminal and federal laws of America have empowered the policing agency to use legal coercion, force and other means necessary in effecting social and public order. These laws are specific on the boundaries of applying different means of maintaining order. In the process of carrying out a duty, police officers are protected and insured by the state against the risks involved (Keller and Merry, 2002). Major challenges facing policing today include low pay which translates into low motivation when carrying out duties. Besides, criminals in modern society use sophisticated weapons and technology beyond any ordinary policeman. Therefore, measuring up with these criminal minds has proven challenging to policing units. In addition, adequate training on criminology and understanding deviancy has made the police force a response unit rather than a prevention unit (Keller and Merry, 2002).
References
Keller, G and Mary, A. (2002) Evolving Strategy of Policing: Case Studies of Strategic Change. New York: National Institute of Justice.
Mutchnick, R. (2009) Criminal Justice Interactive: Companion Text. New York: Prentice-Hall.
Schmalleger, F. (2010) Criminal Justice Today: An Introductory Text for the 21st Century. New York: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Walker, S. (1992). Origins of the Contemporary Criminal Justice Paradigm: The American Bar Foundation Survey. Justice Quarterly Journal, 9.1, 1953-1969.