The Historical Roots of American Policing

This chapter explores the complex origins of American policing, highlighting its connections to labor control and class distinctions, in addition to the well-known ties to slave patrols. It discusses the formation of Boston's police department in 1838 amid ethnic tensions and societal conflicts, particularly between Irish immigrants and Protestant communities. The conversation reflects on how early policing evolved from community enforcement to a profit-driven system, revealing its inherent flaws and the incentives for corruption that shaped its development.