Peter Manning explains what the real essence of policing is:.

             They partake of myth (counterfactual beliefs with an unexamined status), rely on ritual (repeated sequences of action that refer to themselves), and attempt to manage the appearance of consistent control while sustaining internal compliance and loyalty. Sustaining loyalty and legitimacy is a symbolic function, and a fundamental leadership obligation in policing (2001: 318).

             It was due to this growth that local governments in America started developing their own police departments. The proper establishment of departments also helped in reducing the size of police force. Before New York City established a police department in 1853, it had a force consisting of some half million people. However even after the establishment of departments, it was not easy to eradicate corruption from the police force since recruitment was more on partisan basis than on merit. Politicians exercised immense influence on recruitment system and thus corruption was widespread as one newspaper recorded in 1859: .

             Policemen are appointed to the stations they hold as a reward for partisan services; and they hold their position only while their party is in power. They necessarily have not a single element of independence. They must discharge their official duties so as to gain votes for a coming election, and be the prime movers and often the controlling power of all primary political assemblies. It is not difficult to perceive that even the honest policeman is not at liberty to see all the violations of the law that he must be literally blind not to observe. (Daily Picayune, 15 October 1859, 1).

             Wilbur Miller also notes that in the 19th century when NYPD was still in its infancy, it was under the direct and heavy influence of the elite in the society. It was important in those days to please the middle and upper classes since community's support was considered vital for survival and jobs were given to those who were popular in the neighborhood.