Who Invented The Police? The History Of The Modern-Day Policing Model

Summary

This video script delves into the origins of modern policing, tracing its roots to Sir Robert Peele's nine principles established in 1829. It dispels the myth that the current model is based on a World War II regime, emphasizing instead the ethical framework of community policing and public trust. The script highlights Peele's vision where police effectiveness is gauged by the absence of crime, not the number of arrests, and encourages viewers to understand the historical context of policing practices.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ The concept of a police service originated in Britain, not from an evil regime during World War II.
• 👮‍♂️ Sir Robert Peele is considered the father of modern-day policing and established a national police force despite initial resistance.
• 🚨 Public approval and trust were central to the establishment of the police force, as was the idea of local control versus national control.
• 📜 The 'Peelian Principles' were developed to define an ethical framework for policing, emphasizing community cooperation and maintaining public trust.
• 👥 Peel's most quoted principle states that 'the police are the public and the public are the police', highlighting the citizen role of police officers.
• 🔍 The effectiveness of the police is measured by the absence of crime and disorder, not by the number of arrests made.
• 🤝 Principle number four suggests that public cooperation decreases with the increased use of physical force by the police.
• 🏙️ Principle number seven reinforces the idea that the police are part of the community, paid to focus full-time on duties that every citizen should share.
• 🛡️ Principle number eight advises that police should focus on their functions and not assert the powers of the judiciary.
• 📊 The final principle, number nine, uses the absence of crime and disorder as a measure of police efficiency, rather than visible police action.
• 📚 The principles, developed in 1829, form the groundwork for modern policing practices focused on community engagement and ethical conduct.

Q & A

What is the origin of the modern police force?

The modern police force originated in Britain, with the establishment of a national police force by Sir Robert Peel.

Why were people initially suspicious of the idea of a national police force?

People feared that a large and possibly armed police force could be used to suppress protest or support unpopular rule, and they believed that the responsibility for a police force should fall under local control.

What are the Peelian Principles and who are they credited to?

The Peelian Principles are nine principles of policing developed by Sir Robert Peel, which define an ethical framework for policing and emphasize the importance of public cooperation and maintaining public trust.

What does the term 'policing by consent' mean?

Policing by consent refers to the idea that the police are effective when they have the support and cooperation of the public, rather than relying solely on force or coercion.

How does the first Peelian Principle define the basic mission of the police?

The first Peelian Principle states that the basic mission of the police is to prevent crime and disorder.

What is the relationship between the police and the public according to the Peelian Principles?

According to the Peelian Principles, the police are regarded as citizens in uniform, with a historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police.

How does the use of physical force by the police relate to public cooperation according to the Peelian Principles?

The Peelian Principles suggest that the degree of public cooperation diminishes as the necessity of using physical force by the police increases.

What does the term 'ethical policing' refer to in the context of the Peelian Principles?

Ethical policing in the context of the Peelian Principles refers to a police force that operates within an ethical framework, focusing on community policing, ethical conduct, and the prevention of crime.

How does the Peelian Principles view the role of the police in relation to the judiciary?

The Peelian Principles state that the police should direct their actions strictly towards their functions and never appear to assert the powers of the judiciary.

What is the test of police efficiency according to the Peelian Principles?

According to the Peelian Principles, the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.

Why is it important for students interested in a career in policing to know about the Peelian Principles?

It is important for students interested in a career in policing to know about the Peelian Principles because they form the foundational ethical framework for modern-day policing and understanding them can provide insights into the role and responsibilities of police officers.