Policing: Decriminalization In The United States

Policing as a whole is a constantly evolving career and concept. Policies, mission statements, and patrols all fluctuate either drastically or minimally due to the change in our society. Because our government revolves around its’ citizens, legislature enacts laws that reflect the populations’ view on topics. For example, the recent trend has been to legalize or decriminalize marijuana. This drug seems to have a never-ending cycle of it being legal, then illegal, and then back to it being legal. The same change is seen with alcohol and prohibition. This is a variation in law that a department must adjust to not by choice. No matter how often the guidelines will differ, the agency will have to submit to these new rules and regulations in law. I can imagine that this can often be a frustrating issue for municipal or state departments. In the case of marijuana, on one hand it is still considered illegal by federal regulations, while on the other hand it’s decriminalized or legal in the specific state you are in. It’s a tough and confusing concept to grasp for everyone involved, but agencies are constantly adapting. Aside from adapting to laws, agencies naturally change over time. With …show more content…
Trends in policing and functionality are directly related to society’s view on the police. My grandfather who was once a Massachusetts State Trooper, will talk about how well respected the force was up until he retired in 1990. He would say how almost no one would dare to talk back during a traffic stop, or how people genuinely appreciated him for holding the position that he did. I think it’s safe to say that the view on law enforcement is now a polar opposite than what is was thirty years ago. Due to the new view on police, community policing is making a huge comeback in order to mend relations between agencies and its’