August Vollmer: The Founder Of Modern Policing
The Founder of Modern Policing
Greg Sondgeroth
DeVry University
The Founder of Modern Policing | June 1
2013
| A look into the career of August Vollmer, and the contributions he made in law enforcement that set America on the path of police professionalism, as a leader and example for all in law enforcement. | Intro to Policing Class |
Table of Contents Introduction 4 The Model of a True Reformer 5 The Primary Objective for Vollmer 6 The Press and Police 7 The Public and Police 8 Police and Criminals 9 Conclusion 11 References 12
Introduction The primary subject of this paper will involve taking a look into the life and heart of one August Vollmer, considered by many to be the father of police professionalism …show more content…
For Vollmer the most important police function was crime prevention, and in order to do this he first needed the officers to do it. (4) Up to the time he began his career law enforcement was strictly about punishing criminals, with little effort made in the prevention of crime by officers. Few, if any, officers had an education, but received their jobs through corrupt politicians, from knowing family and friends on the top. What Vollmer stressed most of potential officers was for them to be educated, and this led him to starting the nation’s first Police Academy. What he looked for most in his officers was a desire to learn and develop their own ideas. (2) To him, officers should be better educated than other professions, as they have a job that involves the lives of all in their community, in society. Only by understanding the law, and criminals can a police force prevent crime, as well as solve …show more content…
On the other side is the police relationship with individuals, the public. For Vollmer, the beginning of crime prevention was in children of society. “Common sense teaches us that the time to begin crime prevention is the formative part of a child’s life.” (6) The example Vollmer set with children was by making friends with them. Kids would come to his office for candy, and to have their differences settled by him. He could be talking with friends in his home, and a knock would come from his door, in the form of one of the many neighborhood children he befriended. To them he was known as “Uncle Gus.” A long term effect of this characteristic of his was in implanting the ideals for a future in law enforcement. “Why should not the cream of the nation be perfectly willing to devote their lives to the cause of service, providing that service is dignified, socialized and professionalized?” As police were to serve society, he made it a priority for his men to be able to identify and help children who may become social problems, and work with a social team. It may be noted that at this time he made use of women, in helping with juveniles, and found it
Greg Sondgeroth
DeVry University
The Founder of Modern Policing | June 1
2013
| A look into the career of August Vollmer, and the contributions he made in law enforcement that set America on the path of police professionalism, as a leader and example for all in law enforcement. | Intro to Policing Class |
Table of Contents Introduction 4 The Model of a True Reformer 5 The Primary Objective for Vollmer 6 The Press and Police 7 The Public and Police 8 Police and Criminals 9 Conclusion 11 References 12
Introduction The primary subject of this paper will involve taking a look into the life and heart of one August Vollmer, considered by many to be the father of police professionalism …show more content…
For Vollmer the most important police function was crime prevention, and in order to do this he first needed the officers to do it. (4) Up to the time he began his career law enforcement was strictly about punishing criminals, with little effort made in the prevention of crime by officers. Few, if any, officers had an education, but received their jobs through corrupt politicians, from knowing family and friends on the top. What Vollmer stressed most of potential officers was for them to be educated, and this led him to starting the nation’s first Police Academy. What he looked for most in his officers was a desire to learn and develop their own ideas. (2) To him, officers should be better educated than other professions, as they have a job that involves the lives of all in their community, in society. Only by understanding the law, and criminals can a police force prevent crime, as well as solve …show more content…
On the other side is the police relationship with individuals, the public. For Vollmer, the beginning of crime prevention was in children of society. “Common sense teaches us that the time to begin crime prevention is the formative part of a child’s life.” (6) The example Vollmer set with children was by making friends with them. Kids would come to his office for candy, and to have their differences settled by him. He could be talking with friends in his home, and a knock would come from his door, in the form of one of the many neighborhood children he befriended. To them he was known as “Uncle Gus.” A long term effect of this characteristic of his was in implanting the ideals for a future in law enforcement. “Why should not the cream of the nation be perfectly willing to devote their lives to the cause of service, providing that service is dignified, socialized and professionalized?” As police were to serve society, he made it a priority for his men to be able to identify and help children who may become social problems, and work with a social team. It may be noted that at this time he made use of women, in helping with juveniles, and found it