What are the 3 eras of policing?

• A. Colonial, Post-Revolution, Progressive
• B. Industrial, Modern, Digital
• C. Political 1840-1920, Reform 1920-1970, Community 1970 to now
• D. Patrol, Investigation, Administration

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is how policing has evolved through three broad eras that reflect shifts in control, practice, and community relationship. The recognized sequence starts with the political era, roughly mid-19th to early 20th century, when police were closely tied to local political machines and served as a tool of political favors and order maintenance rooted in local power structures. The reform era follows, from about the 1920s to the 1970s, pushing for professionalization—centralized command, merit-based hiring, specialized units, and policing guided by policy and efficiency rather than political influence. The final era, beginning in the 1970s and continuing today, is the community era, which concentrates on building legitimacy and partnerships with neighborhoods, returning to more foot patrols, and solving problems with input from the community.

This option best matches the historical progression of policing philosophy and practice. The other choices either mix different historical periods that aren’t widely grouped as the three eras, or describe functions or tech-age trends rather than the era-based shifts in policing philosophy.