Preface x
community members. There is a lack of a consensus on what constitutes fair and
just treatment of minorities, and the subject generates debates, tensions, and numer-
ous conflicts between the two groups, as well as within the community and among
law enforcement officers. Each of the entries includes events and conflicts that shape
our culture, perceptions, views, and actions. Attention to factual content and objec-
tivity have been maintained, though it may be impossible to eliminate all uncon-
firmed information. The editor and authors apologize in advance for any unintentional
inclusion of information gathered from sources that may not be reliable.
Topics include historical data on legal and societal limits to police power in early
Amer i ca—important amendments, policing of the past—to technological advances
and the rise of organized crime. Specific cases are mentioned, as well as influential
persons (Sir Robert Peel, Teddy Roosevelt, and William Bratton, to name a few).
Next, law enforcement in the time of the political and social upheaval, and the reac-
tions to that time, are covered (the Kerner Commission), and other important
cases that set precedents for future cases (Miranda v. Arizona, Terry v. Ohio, Mapp v.
Ohio) to give readers a perspective of the sentiment at the time. Readers will then
learn of new mandates for exercising police power (Wilson and Kelling’s Broken
Windows Theory, the Rodney King beatings, Ruby Ridge). Finally, readers will be
able to peruse essays on the intensifying debate about the American Police State,
Police officers are assigned to respond to calls for assistance by foot patrol and by motorized
patrol, with the goal of protecting the public. They are contracted to enforce the law, make
arrests, issue tickets, and reduce fear of crime. (Americanspirit/Dreamstime.com)
