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During the reform era, detectives became an important tool in the efforts of police departments to enhance their professionalism and deal with crime. Detectives were the ultimate professionals. They were well paid and trained. The entertainment media at the time portrayed detectives as efficient and effective crime solvers. As a continuing attempt to provide organizational control over officers and detectives, detective work became much more removed from interactions with criminals. Due to scientific advances made during the period, more emphasis was placed on getting information using science (and from victims and witnesses) as opposed to from criminals. In 1910, fingerprints were used for the first time as evidence in a criminal trial.³⁹

A Question to Consider 2.3 The Underrepresentation of People of Color in Policing

Throughout history and even to a large extent today, people of color have been underrepresented as police officers, especially in larger cities. Why? Although this issue is discussed in detail in Chapter 5, it is worthwhile to consider the question now.