The role of police forces in the United States. In the late 1960's, American communities rapidly became dependent upon police forces. In 1955, criminal justice cost all levels of government less than 1/2 of 1% of the GNP. By 1971, it was 1%, increasing at a rate of 5 times the previous decade.
What happened to cause this sudden growth in the size and cost of police? Crime has become a central preoccupation and fear. The seven "serious" crimes rose by 158% between 1960 and 1971.[9]