History of Policing in the United States

This program examines the development of law enforcement in the United States from the colonial period to the present day. It explores the origins of policing, including the development of slave patrols in the South and the night watch system in the North. Students will analyze the shift toward professionalized police forces during the 19th-century urbanization and the subsequent reform movements of the 20th century. The course provides a factual overview of how legislative changes, social movements, and technological advancements have shaped modern police practices and their relationship with diverse communities.