The Language of Authority: Exploring the Origins of "Law and Order"

The phrase "law and order" has a rich and complex history that spans centuries, reflecting the evolving concepts of governance, justice, and societal norms. Originally, the term emerged from ancient civilizations' efforts to establish order and maintain stability within their communities. In this essay, we will delve into the historical roots of the phrase "law and order," tracing its evolution through different periods and its significance in contemporary discourse.

The concept of "law and order" can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Greece, where rulers sought to establish codes of conduct and regulations to govern their subjects. In Mesopotamia, for example, the Code of Hammurabi, dating back to around 1754 BCE, is one of the earliest known legal codes that prescribed specific punishments for various offenses, aiming to maintain social order and justice.

Throughout history, various societies and cultures have developed their systems of laws and regulations to uphold order and enforce justice. In medieval Europe, feudal lords implemented their codes of conduct to maintain control over their domains, while monarchs enacted laws to govern their subjects and ensure obedience to their authority.

The phrase "law and order" gained prominence during the Enlightenment era, a period characterized by the emergence of modern political and legal philosophies. Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke and Montesquieu advocated for the rule of law and the separation of powers, emphasizing the importance of impartial justice and the protection of individual rights. The concept of "law and order" became closely associated with the principles of justice, accountability, and the rule of law.

During the 20th century, particularly in the United States, the phrase "law and order" took on new significance in the context of political and social discourse. It became a rallying cry for politicians and policymakers seeking to address rising crime rates and social unrest. In the 1960s and 1970s, amid civil rights movements and anti-war protests, politicians like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan campaigned on platforms promising to restore "law and order" in response to perceived threats to societal stability.

However, the phrase "law and order" has also been subject to criticism and debate, with some arguing that it has been used to justify authoritarian policies and perpetuate systemic inequalities. Critics have pointed to instances where the enforcement of "law and order" has disproportionately targeted marginalized communities, leading to issues of racial profiling, police brutality, and mass incarceration.

In contemporary discourse, the phrase "law and order" continues to evoke divergent interpretations and perspectives. While some view it as a necessary framework for maintaining social cohesion and security, others see it as a pretext for authoritarianism and the erosion of civil liberties. As societies grapple with complex challenges such as crime, terrorism, and social unrest, the meaning and implications of "law and order" remain subjects of ongoing debate and scrutiny.

In conclusion, the history of the phrase "law and order" reflects the evolving dynamics of governance, justice, and societal norms throughout history. From ancient civilizations to modern democracies, the concept has been central to efforts to establish order, uphold justice, and maintain social stability. Yet, its application and interpretation have been shaped by diverse cultural, political, and ideological contexts, highlighting the complexities inherent in the pursuit of justice and security in society.

FBI Announces Return of Historic Artifacts to Polish Museum of America

The Chicago office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced today the return of approximately 120 stolen historic artifacts to the Polish Museum of America (PMA). The artifacts, which were believed to have been removed from the PMA sometime in the 1970s or 1980s, were recovered by the FBI in 2011 from a Chicago residence.

The artifacts consisted of many items of correspondence dating back as far as 1646, to include letters sent to and from Polish kings, American presidents, a French emperor, and prominent Revolutionary War figures. The collection also includes rare prints and sketches, Polish military medals and memorabilia, as well as World War II artifacts. The collective value of the artifacts being returned today has been estimated at approximately $5 million.

The investigation that led to the discovery of the artifacts was initiated by the PMA, who had been notified by a Chicago coin and antiques dealer that documents traced to the PMA had been sold to the dealer. According to the dealer, the sellers of the documents reported that they had found them in the basement of a house in which they were tenants. The dealer conducted his own research, and after learning that the documents belonged to the PMA, notified the PMA that the documents had come into his possession. Upon learning of the documents being sold to the dealer, the PMA in turn contacted the FBI, and an investigation was initiated.

During the course of the investigation, the FBI recovered additional documents and artifacts from the residence and determined that the residence in which the artifacts were discovered was owned by the mother of a former curator at the PMA. However, additional investigation could not establish the date at which the artifacts disappeared from the PMA, nor the person or persons responsible for removing them from the PMA. As a result, no one was charged in connection with the disappearance of the artifacts, and no criminal prosecutions will be forthcoming in the Northern District of Illinois in connection with the theft, transportation, or possession of the artifacts.

Established in 2004, the FBI’s Art Crime Team is a rapid deployment team composed of 14 special agents assigned to various FBI field offices across the country who have received specialized training in art and cultural property crime investigations. The Art Crime Team has been responsible for the recovery of more than 2,650 items valued at over $150 million. Additional information about the FBI’s art theft program, located at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., is available at www.fbi.gov.

New York Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Valuable Historical Documents

Original Documents of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, John Adams, Franklin Roosevelt, and Others Stolen from Historical Societies and Museums

BALTIMORE—Barry H. Landau, 63, of New York, N.Y., pleaded guilty today to conspiracy and theft of historical documents from museums in Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut and selling selected documents for profit.

The guilty plea was announced by U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Richard A. McFeely of the FBI; Inspector General Paul Brachfeld of the National Archives and Records Administration-Office of Inspector General; Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III; and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Gregg L. Bernstein.

According to his plea agreement, from December 2010 through July 2011, Landau and his co-conspirator, Jason Savedoff, stole and otherwise fraudulently obtained valuable documents and manuscripts from numerous museums, including the Maryland Historical Society, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Connecticut Historical Society, the University of Vermont, the New York Historical Society and the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library, a component of the National Archives. Landau and Savedoff targeted the document and manuscript collections at these museums based on the content of the collections or the potential monetary value of the contents.

Landau admitted that he and Savedoff prepared lists containing the names of historical figures and other noteworthy individuals and made notations referencing the value of signatures and documents authored or signed by the listed individuals. Landau and Savedoff conducted research, including on the Internet, to identify collections containing valuable documents, which, when located, were targeted for theft. Landau also used e-mail to identify for Savedoff the titles and locations of collections that contained document that were ultimately stolen during the course of the conspiracy. Savedoff used aliases when he visited certain libraries to protect the ongoing criminal scheme.

According to Landau’s plea, Landau and Savedoff visited numerous museums posing as researchers, accessed collections of documents which they had determined to be of significant value, reviewed the documents from the collections and used various techniques to steal documents. These techniques included concealing documents inside sports coats and other outerwear, which had been modified to contain hidden pockets, as well as distracting museum curators to disguise their actions. Once a document had been stolen, steps were taken to remove any marking or inventory control notations made on the document. A checklist was prepared for each stolen document which identified the author and date of the document, the collection from which it was stolen, whether the museum card catalogue had been collected, whether there existed any microfilm or other “finding aid” for the document at the museum, the nature of any markings on the document and whether any museum markings had been removed from the document. In an effort to conceal the theft, Landau and Savedoff often took the card catalogue entries and other “finding aids,” making it difficult for the museum to discover that an item was missing. Documents that had been copied on microfilm were often avoided because of the increased possibility the theft would be discovered by the library or repository.

Specifically, according to Landau’s plea, Landau and Savedoff visited the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, N.Y., on Dec. 2, 2010. Landau and Savedoff stole from the library, among other things, seven reading copies of speeches delivered by President Roosevelt. Reading copies are the actual copies of the speeches from which President Roosevelt read and contain edits and handwritten additions made by him and bear his signature. Four reading copies of speeches were sold by Landau on Dec. 20, 2010, to a collector for $35,000. Three other reading copies were the inaugural addresses delivered by President Roosevelt on Jan. 20, 1937; Jan. 20, 1941; and Jan. 20, 1945, which are valued at more than $100,000 each, were recovered from Landau’s apartment in New York City during court-authorized searches.

On March 17, 2011, Landau and Savedoff visited the New York Historical Society in New York City, and removed several valuable documents, all more than 100 years old and worth in excess of $5,000. One document was a letter dated April 1, 1780, from Benjamin Franklin, then in Versailles, France, to John Paul Jones in reference to the delivery of quantities of gunpowder from the French to the U.S. Navy. This letter is valued in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Other documents stolen by Landau and Savedoff from the New York Historical Society include letters and documents authored by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and President George Washington.

On July 9, 2011, Landau and Savedoff visited the Maryland Historical Society, where Landau had provided the curators with a list of collections he wished to review in advance, stating that he was performing research for a book. Landau also provided the list to curators when he arrived at the museum. Landau and Savedoff accessed the various document and manuscript collections. Curators became suspicious of the pair and were concerned that documents were being stolen. The curators summoned the police, who discovered that 79 documents had been secreted inside a computer bag located in one of the museum lockers to which Savedoff had the key. A review of the documents by curators revealed that 60 documents had been removed from the collections of the Maryland Historical Society, including a land grant dated June 1, 1861, to John Lorn, Private Captain, Hannberts Company, Maryland Militia, War of 1812, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, which has a value well in excess of $100,000. The remaining 19 documents contained markings that identified them as being from collections maintained at the Connecticut Historical Society and other institutions.

On July 12, 2011, a search was conducted at Landau’s residence in New York City. A second search was conducted on Aug. 2, 2011. More than 10,000 documents and objects of cultural heritage were recovered during the search. To date, more than 4,000 of these items have been traced as being stolen from libraries and repositories throughout the United States, include documents signed by George Washington, John Adams, Franklin Roosevelt, Marie Antoinette, Napoleon Bonaparte, Karl Marx, Sir Isaac Newton and others.

Jason James Savedoff, aka “Jason James” and “Justin Ward,” 24, of New York, N.Y., previously pleaded guilty to the same charges. No date has been set for his sentencing.

Landau and Savedoff face a maximum sentence of five years in prison for the conspiracy and 10 years in prison for theft of the documents. U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake has scheduled sentencing for Landau on May 7, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

U.S. Attorney Rosenstein praised the FBI, Baltimore Police Department, National Archives and Records Administration-Office of Inspector General, and the Baltimore State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys James G. Warwick and P. Michael Cunningham, who are prosecuting the case.

William Kolender-San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum 10 Year Anniversary (Old West Gala Fundraiser)

Event:  William Kolender-San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum 10 Yr. Anniv. (Old West Gala Fundraiser)
Date of Event:  Thursday, November 17, 2011
Time of Event: 5:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.
Location of Event: Best Western Hacienda Hotel, 4041 Harney St., San Diego, CA 92110 (Old Town San Diego)

SYNOPSIS: The William Kolender-San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum is proud to announce their 10 year anniversary in Old Town San Diego.  On Nov. 17, 2001 the museum opened their doors to the public in “wild west” tradition.  Instead of cutting a ribbon, VIP’s unlocked handcuffs linked together.  In the past decade the museum has had more than a quarter of a million visitors of which 150,000 were grade school students.  The students tour the museum to learn not only about early San Diego and California history, but about early San Diego County Sheriff history.  When the museum opened their doors it was the intent to not have to charge an admission, but to be FREE.  Today it remains FREE to tour the museum.

The museum receives no annual public funding and relies solely on donations.  The goal was set 10 years ago to have the mortgage paid off by the 10th anniversary to eliminate a large part of the museum’s expenses.  As most other non-profit groups have experienced, the museum has seen a sharp decline in donations over the past few years.  The museum may not make their goal, but they are close and need your help.

This year for the museum’s annual Gala, they are going back to their roots, way back, to the Wild Wild West.  Attending the Gala will be like going back in time to “a night in the Old West.”  The Best Western Hacienda in Old Town will be transformed into a saloon/dance hall/theater where cowboys, saloon girls, Sheriffs and townfolks can come listen to the twang of the bluegrass group “Virtual Strangers”, interact with the saloon girls from the “Grand Ladies of the Old West”, cowboys from the “Alpine Outlaws” and see “World Famous Gun Spinner Joey Dillon” on stage.  If that isn’t enough there will be hot grub, cool prizes, lots of silent auction items to bid on and a few “live auction” items as well. 

The event is open to the public and tickets are only $85 per person in advance, or $95 at the door.  So come join the William Kolender-San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum to help celebrate it’s 10th anniversary, have some fun “old west style” and maybe learn a few things you didn’t know about the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department’s 161 years of history.  You never know, you might just see some VIP’s!

For TICKETS or DONATIONS, contact Museum Director Dorothy Strout:

Sheriff’s Museum, 2384 San Diego Ave., San Diego, CA 92110
Phone:  619-260-1850
e-mail:  msdstrout@msn.com

For MEDIA/PRESS/ON-AIR INTERVIEWS/LIVE SHOTS or further information regarding the Old West Gala event contact Museum Special Events Coordinator Matt Pocklington:

Cell:      619-672-0154
e-mail:  matt.pocklington@cox.net

Thank you,

MATT POCKLINGTON

William Kolender-San Diego County Sheriff’s Museum

FBI Recovers Valuable Civil War Battle Flag

On September 29, 2011, agents from the Fredericksburg Resident Agency (FRA) of the Richmond Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation recovered a stolen 14th Louisiana Infantry Regiment Confederate Battle Flag.

This flag, which was stolen in the 1980s by a former volunteer at the Memorial Hall Museum (Confederate Memorial Hall) of New Orleans, was recovered after information was initially provided to the Art Crime Team in the FBI Miami Division. This information was relayed to FRA agents and, with the assistance of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, FRA agents located the individual who had possession of the flag. Investigation determined that the collector purchased the item in 2004 without knowledge of it being stolen and voluntarily turned the item over to the FBI.

Special Agent in Charge Michael Morehart of the Richmond Division commends the efforts of deputies from the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office, special agents in the FRA, and those of Miami’s Art Crime Team in securing this valuable piece of American history within hours of receiving information of its whereabouts.

Since its inception in 2005, the FBI’s National Art Crime Team has recovered more than 2,600 items valued at over $142 million.

The flag will be turned over to The Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, Virginia during a presentation on Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at 9:30a.m. The Museum is located at 1201 East Clay Street in Richmond. Thereafter, the flag will be returned to the Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans, Louisiana. Media is welcome.

Police History and Spirituality

Police-Writers.com, a website dedicated to listing state and local police officers who have authored books on police history and spirituality for police officers.

Albert S. Kurek, a retired New York State Police trooper wrote two books on the history of the New York State Police in The Troopers Are Coming: New York State Troopers, 1917-1943 and The Troopers Are Coming II: New York State Troopers, 1943-1985.

Roger Abel is a retired second grade New York Police Department Detective. A native New Yorker, he has a long and distinguished career in law enforcement as President of the Black Police Officers Organization of the New York Police Department called "Guardian Association, and President of the National Black Police Association. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology, a master’s degree in Public Administration, and many police department and community service awards.

His book, The Black Shields, documents his research into the history of African Americans on the New York Police Department. According to the book description, “All but ignored, the Black police officer went unseen in a history that has been lost, stolen, and disguised by generations of segregation and discriminatory practices within the New York Police Department, and city Government. For more than a century, Black police officers walked a lonely beat, and very little was written about their struggled for equality and recognition since the first Black officer entered the Police Department in 1891.”

John Moreno joined the New York Police Department in 1955; and, retired at the rank of lieutenant in 1984. While on the job he earned an Associate Degree in Police Science and later a Bachelor Degree in Theology. Upon retiring he accepted a position on the staff of the Bishop Molloy Retreat House, working with the Passionist Community of priests and brothers. While working there he went on to earn a Masters Degree in Catholic Doctrine. After leaving that position he became associated with the Marianist Community organizing, promoting and offering spiritual programs at their Emmanuel Marianist Retreat House.

He is founder of Catholic Lay Preachers, a small group of experienced lay speakers offering their talents to religious organizations. He is also the author of A Spirituality for Police Officers which provides “Spiritual help for those in law enforcement and their families.”

Police-Writers.com now hosts 373 police officers (representing 155 police departments) and their 817 books in six categories, there are also listings of United States federal law enforcement employees turned authors, international police officers who have written books and civilian police personnel who have written books.