ABSTRACT
The chapter provides background to the role and mission of the police in the United States and the introduction of national police accreditation in the context of professionalism within the institutional environment of the police. During The Progressive Movement in American politics, The Professional Police Model was established in response to widespread public dissatisfaction with police corruption and substandard performance. Despite numerous changes in policing strategies over half a century, the American police continued to pursue professional status and improve its services and image in response to public pressure.
The Progressive Movement in the United States bureaucratized and rationalized the operations of the uniformed police and altered the balance of power and control relationships. The Professional Police Model in American policing surfaced against widespread public dissatisfaction with the conduct of police officers and corrupt practices of police agencies during the Political Era of Policing. Consequently, the early reform proponents promoted a centralized and relatively autonomous bureaucratic agency structure free from direct political control. The initiative to reform and professionalize the police began with a handful of institutional entrepreneurs who were highly influential chiefs and police theorists who challenged the police’s role and mission at the time. These police reformers wanted to redefine the role and identity of the officer and isolate them from corrupt political influences and interference. Several policing strategies and innovative practices would surface over the next 40 years in response to the increasing crime rate, especially in violent crimes, and the ensuing public dissatisfaction. Police reforms that emerged coalesced with older ideas that have been refined or all too often reinvented.
