Early Entities 1736 -The first Fire Department was started in Philadelphia by Benjamin Franklin.
1775- The United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Marine Corps are established.
1829-The London Metropolitan Police Force is established in London, England by Sir Robert Peel.
1831-1853 – Several cities form their first police departments: the Town of Chicago Police, the Boston Police Department (based on the London Metropolitan Police Force); New York Police Department, and the Los Angeles City Guards (that would become the Los Angeles Police Department).
Political Era During the mid-1850’s-1900, policing was local, informal, and controlled by local political parties. It emphasized controlling social disorder.
Professional/Reform Era During 1900-1960’s, policing became professionalized and technology (telephone and automobile) enhanced operations. Policing became law enforcement-oriented during this era.
Key Events 1940-1960 In 1941, Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was attacked, and the United States entered World War II. In 1947, the Department of the Air Force established. The U.S. then enters a prolonged Cold War with the Soviet Union that will last from 1946-1990.
Key Events, 1960's The social disorder of the 1960’s compelled policing to change toward a community-service/problem oriented model that emerged in the 1970’s. This time period also saw a significant growth in Hospital Emergency Departments. In 1967, the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) was developed, and standards were created.
Community/Problem-Solving Era In the thirty-year period of 1970-2001, policing shifted to provide greater interaction with the communities in which they operate. Policing organizations begin to decentralize to meet the increased demands of their communities.
Key Events 1970-1990 In 1977, the first Hazardous Materials Response Team was established in Jacksonville, Florida. The 1989 fall of the Berlin Wall in Germany marked the end of the Cold War with the Soviet union, and the end of a global stabilizing force.
Terrorism in U.S. The United States experiences a wide range of terrorist attacks from both domestic and international origin. Attacks of domestic origin include the April, 1995 attack on the Federal Building in Okalahoma City, the Centennial Olympic Park bombing in Atlanta in 1996, and the murder of 10 people by a sniper in Washington DC in 2002. Attacks of internation origin include the first (1993) and second (2001) attacks on the World Trade Center in New York.
Economical Era From 2001 to the present, policing has had to account for an increase in responsibilities regarding homeland security and counter terrorism initiatives. The police organization today must continue crime and fear reduction strategies by efficiently developing and disseminating information and intelligence and actively involving the community in the police mission. This era is categorized by information technology applications, management accountability, proactive directed policing, and response to the community.
New Collaborations In October, 2002, the United States Northern Command (NORTHCOM) was created. In January, 2003, the United States Department of Homeland Security emerges as a new key public safety entity.
Hurricane Katrina In August, 2005, hurricane Katrina makes landfall as a Category Four Hurricane. The devastation caused by this event reveals continued challenges associated with coordination among public safety entities.