The professionalization of law enforcement gained importance from the 1940s to the 1970s. It arose from the need to improve the capabilities of the police. It was believed that improving organizations through better quality staff, updated equipment, and standardized procedures would lead to better departments and this would lead to safer cities. Numerous research studies have shown that the attempt to professionalize law enforcement through a higher standard of efficiency has led to a detachment of the police from the communities they serve. Many departments have started to focus on response times, quantity of arrests, etc. This has led to reduced police effectiveness in meeting community expectations.