#1 Early Development of Policing

Module #1

Lesson title: Early Development of Policing

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

1. Trace the early development of policing.

2. Discuss the origin of police.

Introduction (2 mins)

Hello! Are you ready to learn something new today? Great! That’s the spirit of a true student. Welcome to our subject. Our first lesson for this subject is about the “Early development of Policing”. You are expected that at the end of this lesson you may be able to: 1. Trace the early development of policing; 2. Discuss the early development of policing.

Activity 2: Content Notes (13 mins)

I believe you are quite excited to know about how police officers perform their job and other relevant information. But before that, let us know first the history of police. Let’s get started!

C. MIDDLE AGES

1. FRANKPLEDGE SYSTEM /MUTUAL PLEDGE

- A community is divided into groups of 10 men (TYTHINGS/TYTHINGMEN). They are responsible for the conduct of each other and to band together for their community’s protection.

-Members are responsible to the arrest of the violator

2. HUE AND CRY

-The complainant or victim goes to the middle of the community and shout to call all male residents to assemble.

-The victim reports his complaint to the assembly.

- All male residents will go after the criminal and apprehend him.

3. SHIRE-REEVE SYSTEM

-“Shire” means district.

- Each county is being taken care of a “reeve”- a ruler who made laws, pass judgment and impose punishment.

-A “reeve” is appointed by the King and directly reports to the King in its enforcement of laws and order.

4. KEEPERS OF THE PEACE

-King Richard of England (1195) commissioned certain knights to preserve peace in unruly areas.

-They were responsible to the King for ensuring that the law was upheld, and preserved the “king’s peace”.

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Introduction

From the simplest social structure-the family to the most complex-the community of nations, it is essential that certain norms and conduct are to be established and observed in order to ensure that the cordial and harmonious relationship among its members are preserved and maintained.

It is in the field of law enforcement that the police are most involved in the complicated inter-relationship within a social structure. The effectiveness of a police organization is essentially dependent on the manner the same is managed, administered and controlled and most especially on the trust that the citizens-clientele of policing business bestow upon it.

Organization – is an association or group of individuals with a common goal. It is a structured group of individuals and functions into a productive relationship.

Administration – refers to the general managing and organizing that occurs at the highest levels of an organization. It entails the establishment of the department’s overall purposes. (Gaines, Worrall, Southerland and Angell. 2003:2)

Police Organization – a structured group of trained personnel dealt with achieving following goals and objectives

Law Enforcement is the prevention and control of crimes, enforcement of laws, and effecting the arrest of offenders including the conduct of lawful searches and seizures to gather necessary evidence

Frequently Ask Questions:

Q1. What is the difference of the police today compared to the ancient times?

Answer: The word police before does not necessarily mean police officers. It refers to civil authority which is tasked to maintain peace and order, enforce the law, protect lives and properties and insure public safety. While as used today, the word police would refer to the police agency or members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement organizations authorized by the State to enforce the law and maintain peace order.

Q2. Based on the functions of the members of tythings or tythingmen, do they act or perform their functions the same with law enforcers?

Answer: Basically, it’s a yes. As previously stated, members of the tythings or tyhthingmen are responsible for the conduct of each other and to band together for their community’s protection. Not only that, if there are rogue members or those who have violate the law all members are responsible to the arrest of the violator and bring the person to the authorities.

Congratulations! Are you excited for the next lesson? Please study in advance the evolution of policing in the Philippine setting. Thank You!