[1] In 1921, Wilson enrolled in the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in criminology and studying under August Vollmer.
[3] During World War II, Wilson served as a provost marshal with the U.S. Army and retired from the service with the rank of full colonel in the military police.
Hiring standards were raised, graft curbed, and discipline tightened, with a new Police Board overseeing it.
Wilson updated the communications system, adopted computers and improved record-keeping, bought new squad cars, and eliminated most foot patrols.
[9] During his tenure, Wilson recruited more African American officers, promoted black sergeants, and called for police restraint in racial conflicts.
He also advocated for the legalizing of stop and frisk practices and opposed the civil disobedience tactics of the Chicago Freedom Movement.
[5] While at Berkeley, Wilson also served as a consultant, advising cities including Dallas, Nashville, Birmingham, and Louisville, Kentucky on reorganization of their police agencies.
[14] Wilson believed that preventive patrol and rapid response to calls would be effective, creating a sense of police omnipresence among criminals.