Project: Understanding Police History: A Timeline Project The history of the development of law enforcement in the United States involved many significant changes, put into effect by notable figures. Some law enforcement agencies were the first of their kind, revolutionizing the way police work would be done in the United States. Each of these developments built upon earlier ones and, gradually, the nature of police work in the United States improved over the course of time. In this exercise, you will do your own historical research to determine some of the most important events and influential people who helped to shape the course of policing history in the United States.

Assignment Directions
You will then create a timeline for the major developments of each time period. You will also note important individuals such as lawmen, legislators, and politicians who changed the course of policing history.

Conduct Research
Using Internet or published resources, you will conduct research about the history of policing in the United States. Your instructor will provide more guidance about what kinds of resources are allowed for use in this project.

As you conduct your research, begin by compiling a list of important events, individuals, and reformations that changed the course of policing history. Make sure to note several key pieces of information for each entry, such as: who was involved (full name), what took place, why the event took place, why the event was significant, and the year the event occurred. You should choose at least 20 significant events and/or individuals. Begin with the early history of policing in the United States in the seventeenth century and continue through the present day.

Create a timeline.
Once you have collected this information, organize it according to chronological order, beginning with the earliest date and proceeding to the most current. Your timeline can be initially created by hand but the final copy you submit to your instructor should be typed. For each event, write a brief summary (1-2 sentences) of the significance of the event in the history of police work. You can also include images in your timeline, either inserted into your digital document, or physically cut and pasted onto the timeline.

Write an essay
In addition to your timeline, you will complete a 350 word essay that explains what you learned in the process of making a timeline. What did you learn from your timeline? Why is it important to understand the history of policing in the United States? When you made your timeline, how did you determine what event or individual was significant enough to be included? How might this have shaped your timeline and do you think you might have left out anyone or anything important?

Type your essay in a standard 12 point font, double spaced, with standard margins. Submit it along with your typed timeline