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…
in the United States. Although he has contributed so much to law enforcement, his name and the examples he set in his day are a fading memory today. In fact, during one course, Introduction to Criminology, his name did not hit the surface once in the course book, “Criminology Today,” by Frank Schmalleger, Ph.D., although it was Mr. Vollmer who was responsible for starting the first School of Criminology, in 1916, at the University of California, in Berkley. A friend and professor of the school who knew Vollmer, Austin MacCormick, said, “Chief Vollmer was known as the Father of Police Science.” (2) The fact that he is not mentioned in a book on Criminology is a sign all too common these days in the United States, where everything from agencies to businesses have forgotten their roots and foundations, and have become merely a shell of what they once were. This short paper will look at five aspects of policing as seen from Vollmer’s perspective. The first is that he was a reformer from the start, and was successful at reforming policing in America. The second is the heart of Vollmer, his objective for policing, which is crime prevention. The final three points are in relation to the press, the public and criminals, for police officials and officers, as they were used as crime prevention tools, each with its own purpose. This will not be a review of his accomplishments or contributions to today’s law enforcement, but an attempt to show that Vollmer had a single heart in relation to all his work, and it still serves as an example for today.
The Model of a True Reformer August Vollmer was, first and foremost, a true reformer of policing in the United States, who laid the basic foundation on which it stands to this day. He began at a time when police departments were deep in political corruption, and when crime flourished, yet finished his career having set a standard so high that he was known in other countries and sought for advice. From starting out as a town marshal he went on to become the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He had such an impact on those who served under him that by the late 1940’s 25 men who served under him went on to become police chiefs, men to whom he passed on his motivation and spirit. (3) While his influence reached all branches of law enforcement, he was at heart a policeman, and always had the number one goal of police work in mind during his life: crime prevention. The starting point of a reformation within an organization begins with the reformer planting his own ideas and visions into the minds of his subordinates. Vollmer’s message was clear and precise on what it took to be a model policeman: “If the policeman would command the respect of others he must be mentally, morally and physically clean at all times…with an instinctive love for what is right, good, true and commendable…adding dignity to his profession by the pride he takes in doing his work without hope for a reward.” (4) He was a man who led by example, and others quickly followed him. To reform society, however, Vollmer believed entire police departments first needed reforming. He began the reforming of policing in America by rebuilding the police department he became marshal of in Berkley, CA. From this point began the reformation of policing in America. Years later he would sum up the importance of reform: “Blindly following old trails in wornout shoes is foolish economy and makes the policeman ridiculous in the eyes of the criminal and provides excellent material for the funny papers and movie comedies.” (5)
The Primary Objective for Vollmer At the basis of any type of reform is the attainment of a goal.
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…
it. In order to fulfill this goal, of crime prevention, through education and personal study, Vollmer developed a focus that not only had the idea of crime prevention, but of protecting the innocent as well. Crime prevention is one way of protecting society, but it was not enough in his eyes. On the other side was protecting the innocent from false imprisonment. This was one of the reasons for his creation of a Criminal Identification Bureau, with photos, and later, fingerprints of known criminals. His other stress point, beyond photos and fingerprints is what he referred to as the Modus Operondi System, used to catch professional criminals. Concerning this type of criminal, “they may not leave fingerprints behind them at the scene of the crime, but it is almost impossible for them to commit any crime without leaving behind a most important clue, and that clue is their method of operation.” (6) What may be overlooked by many are the methods he used as Chief of Police to spread the knowledge both he and his men were learning about crime. There are a list of things that could be named, but the foundation Vollmer used consisted is a relationship between his police department and the public on the one side, and with criminals on the other. For the public, there were two keys to this relationship: the press, and the people, such as shop owners. Criminals will be handles separate from the general public.
The Press and Police The media in Vollmer’s days were originally from two sources: the radio and the newspapers. He used the press to “maintain communications with reform elements in his own community, and to influence police reform throughout the country.” (2) A wise Chief of Police knows, as Vollmer did, that one should never argue or attack the media, but always strive to build an image. The mayor of his city once described the police of Berkley among the most popular people in the city. The police image in a city can only be built up through educated and well trained officers, and always has a drastic effect upon the success of a department. From treatment of citizens, suspects, officials, and most of all, the press, all of this will have an effect upon policing both in the area it occurs, and nationwide. The press is the most effective way to communicate with society as a whole, and in doing so, Vollmer used it as a tool of law enforcement in order to prevent crime. Today the police have more negative images than positive, and a large part of it has to do with all things covered thus far, from the top of police departments, to the officers recruited, the training they receive, and most of all, the vision they have of their duties. One bad report can take away ten good ones in the harsh and critical public eye. And who is it that creates the public eye? The media does. For this cause, it is important for modern police to remember the wisdom of Vollmer, and end hostility that can only be cured through proper reform and a positive relation to the press. An officer, from the least, to the greatest, must be able to account for each action they take. For only proper action can rebuild a corrupted image.
The Public and Police Maintaining a relationship to the press is a large scale relationship, with society as a whole.
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
successful. When men were working the beat, Vollmer stressed to his men to work with the businesses in their areas, for the purpose of maintaining communication, and helping them to protect themselves against criminals. Through their education and through the study of criminal behavior, the police began passing on that knowledge to store owners and citizens alike. They would encourage owners not to store safes in hidden places, but in the fronts of stores, near windows, in the light. People were encouraged to avoid dark places at night, and for women to not walk alone. Simple principles were learned and put into practice, without all the complications common today.
Police and Criminals If there is one area that has been lost in the foundation Vollmer has made to policing, it is the relationship of the officer and the suspect or criminal. Jim Fisher wrote of Vollmer, “Vollmer was one of the few turn-of-the-century police chiefs to prohibit the “third degree.” He visited his jail every morning to talk with prisoners and to view their treatment firsthand. He abhorred prisoner brutality and required his men, when questioning suspects, to treat them with kindness and respect – he believed that offenders were more likely to confess when treated this way.” (3) It was from this that the lie detector came into use by him, as a way to counter the brutality. He believed that for an officer to simply arrest and lock up a prisoner was like pouring water into a bucket and letting it drain back out. Today this aspect of a police officer seems to have changed. Once suspects are found guilty, their treatment as criminals remains forever upon them, but in rare cases. A hostility has grown from this and the gap between good and bad seems to have formed an impenetrable barrier. Police are no longer looked at as social workers, or reformers of the law breakers, but as punishers and vigilantes in the eyes of many. Thus, police seem to have the same attitude towards criminals as society, and have fallen into a novice mindset, and have thrown off their professionalism that sets them apart from the rest of society. “The wise policeman remains silent, ventures no opinion, knowing that every factor in the delinquent’s hereditary and environment must be investigated before an intelligent explanation can be given for the persons failure to conform to the rules made to govern our conduct.” (5) If these words were followed more today, the state of policing would slowly grow into a more trusted image nationwide.
Conclusion This has been but a brief look into the mind of August Vollmer, rather than his many individual contributions to modern policing. What each area covered has in common with each other is the same root from which they came from him: that crime prevention is the ultimate goal for all things in law enforcement. The points given in the previous sections have shown Vollmer’s mindset and belief that each area of policing is related to the other, The most important lessons we get from Vollmer are that policing begins and ends at the top, but it built up from the bottom, in the form of the proper recruits for this line of work, Leaders such as Vollmer do not arise each day, but must be searched for by the proper officials, and given the tools they need to get the job done. From here Police Departments can build their large scale relations with the media, to form a good standing in society, and build from a smaller scale with individuals. If this is successful, part of the problems today will be solved. On the other side, more attention needs to be paid to criminals, and the social work police were to have under Vollmer. Reforming criminals was always in the mind of this great man, yet few today seem to follow him in this. A final quote from August Vollmer should be remembered by all in authority today: There is something a good patrolman puts into his work that is not found in the books of rules nor taught by police instructors. (3)
References (1) August Vollmer Historical Project. (1972) pioneer in police professionalism volume 1 Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/augustvollmer01vollrich#page/n7/mode/2up (2) August Vollmer Historical Project. (1983) pioneer in police professionalism volume 2 Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/augustvollmer02vollrich#page/n39/mode/2up (3) Fisher, Jim. (2008) Pioneer Cop: A Half Century Ahead of His Time. Retrieved from: http://jimfisher.edinboro.edu/forensics/vollmer.html (4) Vollmer, August. (1920) A practical method for selecting police Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/jstor-1133466/1133466#page/n1/mode/2up (5) Vollmer, August. (1922) Aims and ideals of the police Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/jstor-1133493/1133493#page/n3/mode/2up (6) Vollmer, August. (unknown date) The criminal identification bureau Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/jstor-1133542/1133542#page/n1/mode/2up
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…
in the United States. Although he has contributed so much to law enforcement, his name and the examples he set in his day are a fading memory today. In fact, during one course, Introduction to Criminology, his name did not hit the surface once in the course book, “Criminology Today,” by Frank Schmalleger, Ph.D., although it was Mr. Vollmer who was responsible for starting the first School of Criminology, in 1916, at the University of California, in Berkley. A friend and professor of the school who knew Vollmer, Austin MacCormick, said, “Chief Vollmer was known as the Father of Police Science.” (2) The fact that he is not mentioned in a book on Criminology is a sign all too common these days in the United States, where everything from agencies to businesses have forgotten their roots and foundations, and have become merely a shell of what they once were. This short paper will look at five aspects of policing as seen from Vollmer’s perspective. The first is that he was a reformer from the start, and was successful at reforming policing in America. The second is the heart of Vollmer, his objective for policing, which is crime prevention. The final three points are in relation to the press, the public and criminals, for police officials and officers, as they were used as crime prevention tools, each with its own purpose. This will not be a review of his accomplishments or contributions to today’s law enforcement, but an attempt to show that Vollmer had a single heart in relation to all his work, and it still serves as an example for today.
The Model of a True Reformer August Vollmer was, first and foremost, a true reformer of policing in the United States, who laid the basic foundation on which it stands to this day. He began at a time when police departments were deep in political corruption, and when crime flourished, yet finished his career having set a standard so high that he was known in other countries and sought for advice. From starting out as a town marshal he went on to become the President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. He had such an impact on those who served under him that by the late 1940’s 25 men who served under him went on to become police chiefs, men to whom he passed on his motivation and spirit. (3) While his influence reached all branches of law enforcement, he was at heart a policeman, and always had the number one goal of police work in mind during his life: crime prevention. The starting point of a reformation within an organization begins with the reformer planting his own ideas and visions into the minds of his subordinates. Vollmer’s message was clear and precise on what it took to be a model policeman: “If the policeman would command the respect of others he must be mentally, morally and physically clean at all times…with an instinctive love for what is right, good, true and commendable…adding dignity to his profession by the pride he takes in doing his work without hope for a reward.” (4) He was a man who led by example, and others quickly followed him. To reform society, however, Vollmer believed entire police departments first needed reforming. He began the reforming of policing in America by rebuilding the police department he became marshal of in Berkley, CA. From this point began the reformation of policing in America. Years later he would sum up the importance of reform: “Blindly following old trails in wornout shoes is foolish economy and makes the policeman ridiculous in the eyes of the criminal and provides excellent material for the funny papers and movie comedies.” (5)
The Primary Objective for Vollmer At the basis of any type of reform is the attainment of a goal.
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…
it. In order to fulfill this goal, of crime prevention, through education and personal study, Vollmer developed a focus that not only had the idea of crime prevention, but of protecting the innocent as well. Crime prevention is one way of protecting society, but it was not enough in his eyes. On the other side was protecting the innocent from false imprisonment. This was one of the reasons for his creation of a Criminal Identification Bureau, with photos, and later, fingerprints of known criminals. His other stress point, beyond photos and fingerprints is what he referred to as the Modus Operondi System, used to catch professional criminals. Concerning this type of criminal, “they may not leave fingerprints behind them at the scene of the crime, but it is almost impossible for them to commit any crime without leaving behind a most important clue, and that clue is their method of operation.” (6) What may be overlooked by many are the methods he used as Chief of Police to spread the knowledge both he and his men were learning about crime. There are a list of things that could be named, but the foundation Vollmer used consisted is a relationship between his police department and the public on the one side, and with criminals on the other. For the public, there were two keys to this relationship: the press, and the people, such as shop owners. Criminals will be handles separate from the general public.
The Press and Police The media in Vollmer’s days were originally from two sources: the radio and the newspapers. He used the press to “maintain communications with reform elements in his own community, and to influence police reform throughout the country.” (2) A wise Chief of Police knows, as Vollmer did, that one should never argue or attack the media, but always strive to build an image. The mayor of his city once described the police of Berkley among the most popular people in the city. The police image in a city can only be built up through educated and well trained officers, and always has a drastic effect upon the success of a department. From treatment of citizens, suspects, officials, and most of all, the press, all of this will have an effect upon policing both in the area it occurs, and nationwide. The press is the most effective way to communicate with society as a whole, and in doing so, Vollmer used it as a tool of law enforcement in order to prevent crime. Today the police have more negative images than positive, and a large part of it has to do with all things covered thus far, from the top of police departments, to the officers recruited, the training they receive, and most of all, the vision they have of their duties. One bad report can take away ten good ones in the harsh and critical public eye. And who is it that creates the public eye? The media does. For this cause, it is important for modern police to remember the wisdom of Vollmer, and end hostility that can only be cured through proper reform and a positive relation to the press. An officer, from the least, to the greatest, must be able to account for each action they take. For only proper action can rebuild a corrupted image.
The Public and Police Maintaining a relationship to the press is a large scale relationship, with society as a whole.
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
successful. When men were working the beat, Vollmer stressed to his men to work with the businesses in their areas, for the purpose of maintaining communication, and helping them to protect themselves against criminals. Through their education and through the study of criminal behavior, the police began passing on that knowledge to store owners and citizens alike. They would encourage owners not to store safes in hidden places, but in the fronts of stores, near windows, in the light. People were encouraged to avoid dark places at night, and for women to not walk alone. Simple principles were learned and put into practice, without all the complications common today.
Police and Criminals If there is one area that has been lost in the foundation Vollmer has made to policing, it is the relationship of the officer and the suspect or criminal. Jim Fisher wrote of Vollmer, “Vollmer was one of the few turn-of-the-century police chiefs to prohibit the “third degree.” He visited his jail every morning to talk with prisoners and to view their treatment firsthand. He abhorred prisoner brutality and required his men, when questioning suspects, to treat them with kindness and respect – he believed that offenders were more likely to confess when treated this way.” (3) It was from this that the lie detector came into use by him, as a way to counter the brutality. He believed that for an officer to simply arrest and lock up a prisoner was like pouring water into a bucket and letting it drain back out. Today this aspect of a police officer seems to have changed. Once suspects are found guilty, their treatment as criminals remains forever upon them, but in rare cases. A hostility has grown from this and the gap between good and bad seems to have formed an impenetrable barrier. Police are no longer looked at as social workers, or reformers of the law breakers, but as punishers and vigilantes in the eyes of many. Thus, police seem to have the same attitude towards criminals as society, and have fallen into a novice mindset, and have thrown off their professionalism that sets them apart from the rest of society. “The wise policeman remains silent, ventures no opinion, knowing that every factor in the delinquent’s hereditary and environment must be investigated before an intelligent explanation can be given for the persons failure to conform to the rules made to govern our conduct.” (5) If these words were followed more today, the state of policing would slowly grow into a more trusted image nationwide.
Conclusion This has been but a brief look into the mind of August Vollmer, rather than his many individual contributions to modern policing. What each area covered has in common with each other is the same root from which they came from him: that crime prevention is the ultimate goal for all things in law enforcement. The points given in the previous sections have shown Vollmer’s mindset and belief that each area of policing is related to the other, The most important lessons we get from Vollmer are that policing begins and ends at the top, but it built up from the bottom, in the form of the proper recruits for this line of work, Leaders such as Vollmer do not arise each day, but must be searched for by the proper officials, and given the tools they need to get the job done. From here Police Departments can build their large scale relations with the media, to form a good standing in society, and build from a smaller scale with individuals. If this is successful, part of the problems today will be solved. On the other side, more attention needs to be paid to criminals, and the social work police were to have under Vollmer. Reforming criminals was always in the mind of this great man, yet few today seem to follow him in this. A final quote from August Vollmer should be remembered by all in authority today: There is something a good patrolman puts into his work that is not found in the books of rules nor taught by police instructors. (3)
References (1) August Vollmer Historical Project. (1972) pioneer in police professionalism volume 1 Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/augustvollmer01vollrich#page/n7/mode/2up (2) August Vollmer Historical Project. (1983) pioneer in police professionalism volume 2 Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/augustvollmer02vollrich#page/n39/mode/2up (3) Fisher, Jim. (2008) Pioneer Cop: A Half Century Ahead of His Time. Retrieved from: http://jimfisher.edinboro.edu/forensics/vollmer.html (4) Vollmer, August. (1920) A practical method for selecting police Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/jstor-1133466/1133466#page/n1/mode/2up (5) Vollmer, August. (1922) Aims and ideals of the police Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/jstor-1133493/1133493#page/n3/mode/2up (6) Vollmer, August. (unknown date) The criminal identification bureau Retrieved June 1, 2013 from http://archive.org/stream/jstor-1133542/1133542#page/n1/mode/2up