Question 1

Who organized the first police department in history?

Accepted Answer

Robert Peel is credited with organizing the first modern police force, the Metropolitan Police in London in 1829.

Question 2

Which type of society likely used kin policing?

Accepted Answer

Kin policing is a system of social control in which relatives take responsibility for one another's behavior. It was commonly practiced in tribes where individual behavior could impact the survival of the whole group. Chiefdoms and states had formalized institutions of social control, while nations as a concept did not exist in the same way during the time period when kin policing would have been used.

Question 3

Policing is a __________ organization.

Accepted Answer

Policing is considered a paramilitary organization due to its hierarchical structure, strict discipline, emphasis on obedience to authority, and use of military-style uniforms and equipment.

Question 4

Which term most accurately describes the role of police in the political machines of the late 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Police in the political machines of the late 1800s were primarily extortionists, using their power to extract bribes and payments from businesses and individuals.

Question 5

Which system in England is associated with the phrase "it takes a thief to catch a thief?"

Accepted Answer

The phrase "it takes a thief to catch a thief" is associated with the parliamentary reward system in England, where rewards were offered to individuals, often criminals themselves, for apprehending or providing information leading to the capture of other criminals. This system operated on the principle that those familiar with criminal activities were best suited to catch others engaged in similar acts.

Question 6

What was the name of the first modern police department in the world?

Accepted Answer

The London Metropolitan Police, also known as the Met, was established in 1829 and is considered the first modern police department in the world. The other options listed were established later, with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police being founded in 1873, the Boston Police Department in 1838, and the New York City Police Department in 1845.

Question 7

The right and authority granted to a police agency to administer justice in a defined area of responsibility is called

Accepted Answer

Jurisdiction refers to the legal authority and power of a police agency to enforce laws and administer justice within a specific geographic area or over a particular group of people. It determines what crimes can be investigated and prosecuted, and what penalties can be imposed. The term "frankpledge" refers to a medieval English system of policing where citizens were responsible for policing their own communities, while an investigation agency and division of labor are not specific to the concept of jurisdiction.

Question 8

Which position was added to protect the king's interests throughout England?

Accepted Answer

The position of sheriff was added to protect the king's interests throughout England. The sheriff served as the king's representative in each county and was responsible for enforcing the law and collecting taxes.

Question 9

Which statement is TRUE of the political era of policing?

Accepted Answer

The political era of policing lasted from approximately the 1840s to the 1940s and was characterized by police corruption, political influence, and limited police training and qualifications. While reforms were proposed and implemented during this time, there was little significant change until the professionalization era of policing in the 20th century.

Question 10

The __________ system is a great example of a Chiefdom taking the informal means of control that had existed in the bands and tribes and formalizing them for the purpose of social control.

Accepted Answer

The frankpledge system is an example of a Chiefdom formalizing informal means of control from earlier social structures like bands and tribes for the purpose of social control. It was a system of mutual responsibility within a community, ensuring that all members were accountable for the behavior of each other, thus formalizing social control mechanisms.

Question 11

The bow street runners are most similar to

Accepted Answer

The Bow Street Runners were considered to be the world's first modern police force, and they were responsible for investigating crimes and maintaining order in London during the 18th century. They were similar to modern-day police forces in their duties and practices.

Question 12

Which national event precipitated the rapid expansion of police departments across the United States?

Accepted Answer

The Civil War led to the creation of the first national police force, the United States Marshals Service, which was tasked with enforcing federal laws and protecting federal property. This event precipitated the rapid expansion of police departments across the United States as cities and towns sought to establish their own police forces to maintain order and enforce local laws.

Question 13

Which individual would be more likely to be a member of the night watch in England?

Accepted Answer

The night watch in England was responsible for patrolling the streets at night to maintain order and prevent crime. It was typically made up of lower-class individuals who were not otherwise employed, such as vagrants and laborers. Therefore, a homeless man would be more likely to be a member of the night watch than a female playwright or a noble lord. A keystone cop, while also a lower-class individual, is not a historically accurate option, as they were a fictional group created for silent comedies in the early 1900s, long after England's night watch system had been disbanded.

Question 14

All of the following differentiated the Boston Police Department from the London Metropolitan Police Department EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

The Boston Police Department and the London Metropolitan Police Department both aimed to reduce crime, but there is no clear evidence to suggest that one was more effective than the other at reducing crime. This aspect did not differentiate the Boston Police Department from the London Metropolitan Police. The other options (A, B, D) highlight differences between the two police departments during their early years.

Question 15

Inspector Alexander "Clubber" Williams is associated with which common practice of American policing?

Accepted Answer

Inspector Alexander "Clubber" Williams is infamous for his use of excessive force and police brutality, including his use of a nightstick to beat suspects.

Question 16

There are approximately __________ police agencies serving the American people today.

Accepted Answer

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there were approximately 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies in the United States as of 2016.

Question 17

America is presently in the __________ era of policing.

Accepted Answer

The homeland security era of policing in America began after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, focusing on preventing terrorism and enhancing national security.

Question 18

The English system of policing began with the

Accepted Answer

The English system of policing can be traced back to the Norman Conquest of 1066 when William the Conqueror established a system of law enforcement that included the establishment of sheriffs and constables. This system eventually evolved into the modern-day police force in England.

Question 19

Tom is a police officer during the political era. Joe is a modern-day officer. Which task would Tom do that Joe would probably not?

Accepted Answer

Running a soup kitchen is not a typical task of a police officer, especially in a modern-day era where community policing and social programs are typically handled by separate departments or organizations. Patrolling a beat, making an arrest, and responding to a crime are all tasks that both Tom and Joe would perform as police officers, although their approach and tactics may differ based on the era in which they work.

Question 20

Imagine you wanted to become a police officer under the patronage system in New York City. Which step would you need to take first?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Imagine you wanted to become a police...

Quiz 6: An Introduction to Policing: History and Structure