Download EARLY LAW ENFORCEMENT TIME LINE Development of Laws

Fleischman
SOC 3344
EARLY LAW ENFORCEMENT TIME LINE
Development of Laws
1704-1662 bc Code of Hammarabi
ca 1500 bc
ca 1400 bc
Egypt sophisticated laws and court system
Marine patrol
965-925 bc
Ancient Hebrews influenced the development of law enforcement - following the
death of “King Solomon” the Hebrew people meticulously prescribed
community conduct and administered savage punishment of offenders - the
laws were based on a monotheism and the Ten Commandments - (Torah
and Pentatuch and later less severe laws were prescribed in the Talmud)
Solon (The Law Giver) Devised a legal system in Athens which applied laws
in a democratic manner - Law enforcement was the responsibility of the
military.
Greeks used “kin police” in which the victim’s family would be empowered to
bring the wrong-doer before the magistrate - resulted in wide spread
lawlessness and resulted in the need for police and a large security force of
body guards acting a the police. Body guards were widely used as police
throughout much of the early history of Greece
639-559 bc
Sparta - first secret police created under the rule of Ephori
451 bc
Rome - citizens and conqured peoples were ruled by laws provided within the
Twelve Tablets which were instituted in and enforced by the Roman army
Strong kinship lines where rigid distinctions were made between domestic and
civil responsibilities. Roman families were patriarchal, headed by pater
familias - had absolute authority over his family and all property associated
with the family. First allegiance owed to the family - if a roman was convicted
of a crime it was the family who would impose punishment - not the
government.
27 bc
Augustus - began a movement that continued for some 500 years in which the
state, through the emperor came to dominate all aspects of Roman life Created the Praetorian Guard (7000 soldiers) within the City of Rome. The
guard watched the outer perimeters of the city for criminals and invading
armies. Thus the concept of a dedicated “police force” had its origins.
quaestores - worked for magistrates and had arrest powers. Vigiles - also
served as watchmen and were responsible for both police and firefighting
duties.
Fall of Roman Empire & Middle Ages
After over 4000 years of legal development, the centralized style of government
required for successful maintenance of law and order ended with the fall of the
Roman Empire - the era that followed is known as the Middle Ages
Medieval Times
The feudal system was developed as a means to restore social order. It was
built on the premise of mutual responsibility. As a rule, however, feudal lords
administered justice to those under their control as they deemed necessary.
The church also placed a role in determining what constituted a criminal violation
as well as how the infraction was to be arbitrated. Neither the feudal lords nor
the churches answered to a central authority.
1100 -1200s
As the 12th and 13th centuries unfolded, kings began to assume responsibility
for administration of law and to maintain officials for that purpose.
1100's
12th century Scandinavia the gjaldkere was given administrative
responsibility of towns which included responsibility for law and order - their
counterparts, the lensman, enforced the law and collected taxes.
1200s
In the 13th century in Paris, Louis IX created a provost who, assisted by
investigating commissioners and sergeants, directed the night watch and
commanded a mounted guard. This was the beginning of the Marechausee,
which became the Gendarmerie that today police the areas outside of major
towns.
1200's
Magna Carta (13th Century England) placed limitations on constables and
bailiffs - possibly to control police abuse of power and to ensure the
maintenance of order.
Development of Police in England
1100's 12th Century Norman Kings appointed sheriffs
Frankenpledge - all males over 12 years of age were called upon as needed to protect
their neighbors from thieves and outlaws.
tithings - collectives of 10 families expected to police their own trivial problems
hue and cry - when trouble erupted townsman was to summon help
hundreds - 10 tithings (100 families) organized and were supervised by a constable
who may be considered the first true law enforcement officers and had responsibility for
more serious infractions.
shires - hundreds were grouped together into shires or counties and supervised by a
reeves or a shire-reeves
sheriffs - the title given to the shire-reeves, developed the posse comitatus to require
aid from citizens whenever necessary
1200's 13th Century the night watch emerged in urban areas to patrol the late-night streets - this
was the system that represented the earliest form of metropolitan policing. This
structure was called the Watch and Ward (Statute of Winchester 1285) which replaced
the Frankenpledge system.
Watchmen - usually constituents of local church parishes, patrolled the streets from
dusk till dawn watching for robbers, thieves, and hooligans, their mission was to rid the
streets of wandering strangers and to ensure that “all’s well”
1300's Early 14th Century the Justice of the Peace (1326) developed to assist the shire-reeve
in county law enforcement - in addition to their duties as peace keepers, the justices of
the peace soon adopted judicial duties. Over time the constable began working at the
direction of the Justice of the Peace.