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Police forces as we know them were most definitely not around when the founding fathers established the country. At that time law enforcement consisted of citiz
by tssva 5y ago
Police forces as we know them were most definitely not around when the founding fathers established the country. At that time law enforcement consisted of citizen watches and constables. Constables served writs and warrants usually paid based upon the number served and also performed other non-law enforcement duties. Police departments didn't start appearing in the US until the 1830s.
- abernard1 5y ago> At that time law enforcement consisted of citizen watches and constables. Sheriffs, in other words. We can debate whether or not more or less power should be given to directly elected sheriffs and deputies, or the police, but that is immaterial. Sheriffs and police are two near identical systems of power that are applied in different manners. The critics of police power are also critical of sheriffs, in many cases more so. I would personally prefer we demilitarize the police, including federal police and the FBI, but the idea that local cops is a standing army is silly.
- tssva 5y agoNo, constable and watch systems which existed were not similar to modern police or sheriff systems of today.