Law enforcement is an activity of government agencies that act in an organized
manner to enforce the law by discovering,deterring ,rehabilitating, or punishing
persons who violate the rules and norms governing that society.
However, as society evolves, it is most frequently applied to those who directly
engage in crime prevention, crime control, and maintenance of peace and order,
typically carried out by the police or another law enforcement organization with
particular or specif ic legal mandates to enforce law. Hence, law enforcement is
usually called the police.
This chapter discusses the origin of the word police, its fundamental theories,
concepts of police service, police objectives, and basic functions.
A.ORIGIN AND DEFINITION OFTHE WORD “POLICE”
The word “POLICE” has originated from the greek word POLITEIA which means “ a
government of a city” the ROMANS borrowed the word modifying it to POLITIA, adopting
its meaning. It was used by the Middle French word PORICE, which means “public order
assured by the State”.
Modern usage of “police” as the “civil force responsible for maintaning public order and
enforcing the law” came only into recorded use in the English language in 1978 when
the Marine Police was established to protect merchant shipping on the River Thames in
London.
POLICE - a body of armed men,which as an institution, can exercise its duties by armed
physical forces to preserve peace and order, detection of crime, and the execution of
laws.
B. FUNDAMENTAL THEORIES OF POLICE SERVICE|
1. The Continental Theory. In this theory, police officers are considered servants
of the higher authorities, and the people have little or no share at all in their
duties, nor any direct connection with them. This theory prevails among
continental countries like France, Italy , Spain, where governmental structure
follows the centralized pattern.
2. The Home Rule Theory. Policemen are considered servants of the
Community, who depend on the effectiveness of their functions upon the
express wishes of the people. In this theory, policemen are civil employees
whose primary duty is to preserve public peace and security. This is
practiced in England and in the United States of America, where the
governmental structure is a decentralized pattern.
C.CONCEPTS OF POLICE SERVICE
1.Old Concept. In this concept, the police are looked upon as merely repressive
machinery. This means that placing more people in jail rather that keeping them out
of jail. Punishment is the only instrument of crime control, and the yardstick of
police efficiency is more on the arrest.
2.Modern Concept. This concept considers the police service as an organ of crime
prevention. Its activities include certain aspects of social services and have for its
objectives the welfare of the individual and society. The yardstick of police
efficiency is the absence of crime.
D. POLICE OBJECTIVES
1.To make sure there is an order in the Community.
2.To protect the lives and limbs of every member of the Community.
3.To protect the properties of the citizenry; and
4.To render appropriate assistance to other government office concerned.
E. BASIC POLICE FUNCTIONS
1.Crime Prevention. It is directed at the elimination or reduction of the desire to
commit a crime. Crime prevention must be coordinated very closely with other
agencies such as the criminal justice system or other sectors of society.
2.Crime Control. Refers to the control or neutralization of criminal activity. The
key to crime control is proper enforcement of the Revised Penal Code and
Special Penal Laws governing criminal acts.
3.Regulations or Control of Non-Criminal Conduct. Done by enforcing rules and
regulation and ordinances all aimed at achieving a desired uniform standard of
activity among members of society.
F. THREE (3) GENERAL CATEGORIES OF POLICE ACTIVITIES
1.Primary,Line, or Operation Police Functions. These refers to activities such as
patrol work, traffic control/management, criminal investigation, and juvenile and
vice control. Sometimes, intelligence is classified as a line function. The
accomplishment of these primary task should achieve the police objectives.
2.Secondary, Auxillary, or Service Functions. These take charge of transportation,
communication,property supply,records,laboratory, jail or custody maintenance, and
identification. These tasks shall assist and effectively support the primary task in
the accomplishment of the police objectives.
3.Administrative or Managerial Functions. These include personnel, intelligence,
inspection, planning activities, budgeting, training, and public the primary and
secondary police tasks in attaining police objectives.
