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

Randall Arsenault

12 Jul 202407:00

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

Outlines

00:00

🏛 The Origins and Principles of Modern Policing

This paragraph delves into the historical roots of the police force, questioning its origins and the reasons behind its establishment. It introduces the concept of ethical policing and the term 'policing by consent.' The speaker clarifies misconceptions about the current policing model, explaining that it originated in Britain, not from a World War II regime. Sir Robert Peele is credited with the development of the 'Peelian Principles,' which laid the foundation for an ethical police force emphasizing public cooperation and trust. The paragraph outlines nine principles that define the mission of the police to prevent crime and disorder, the importance of public approval, cooperation, and the minimal use of force, among others.

05:02

📜 Reflection on the Peelian Principles and Modern Policing

The second paragraph reflects on the Peelian Principles, which were developed in 1829 by Sir Robert Peele, and their relevance to contemporary policing. The speaker reveals a personal anecdote about initially believing community policing to be a new concept, only to discover its deep historical roots. The paragraph serves as a call to action for those interested in policing, law enforcement, or those who wish to challenge the current system, to understand its history. It encourages viewers to research Sir Robert Peele and his principles, and highlights the importance of community policing as a foundational aspect of modern law enforcement practices.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡police service/police force

The terms 'police service' and 'police force' refer to the organized group of individuals responsible for maintaining law and order within a community. In the video, the script discusses the origin of the police force and the debate over the use of the term 'force', which was seen as too harsh, leading to the adoption of the term 'service'. The script also touches on the idea that the police are a service provided to the public, emphasizing their role in community welfare.

💡ethical policing

Ethical policing is a concept that involves the adherence to moral principles and professional standards in the execution of police duties. The video script introduces this term and discusses the idea of an ethical police force, which is guided by principles that emphasize public cooperation and maintaining public trust. Ethical policing is foundational to modern-day policing practices and is closely tied to the nine principles developed by Sir Robert Peel.

💡policing by consent

Policing by consent is a principle that suggests the police derive their authority from the consent of the community they serve. The video script mentions this term, indicating that the police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in the voluntary observance of the law. This concept is integral to the idea that the police are effective not through the use of force, but through the trust and cooperation of the community.

💡Peelian Principles

The Peelian Principles, named after Sir Robert Peel, are a set of nine principles that define the philosophy of an ethical police force. The video script outlines these principles, which include the prevention of crime, public approval of police actions, and the importance of community cooperation. These principles are foundational to modern policing and are used to guide the conduct and practices of police forces worldwide.

💡community policing

Community policing is a strategy that focuses on building trust and cooperation between the police and the communities they serve. The video script discusses the concept of community policing, which dates back to the principles developed by Sir Robert Peel in 1829. The script highlights that community policing is not a new concept but has a long history and is central to the effectiveness of the police in preventing crime and maintaining order.

💡public trust

Public trust refers to the confidence and faith that the community has in the police and their ability to perform their duties effectively. The video script emphasizes the importance of public trust in the context of the Peelian Principles, stating that the effectiveness of the police is not measured by the number of arrests but by the lack of crime and the level of trust they have established within the community.

💡prevention of crime

The prevention of crime is a core mission of the police, as mentioned in the first of the Peelian Principles. The video script explains that the primary role of the police is to prevent crime and disorder, rather than merely reacting to it. This concept is central to the philosophy of ethical policing and community policing, where the focus is on proactive measures to maintain law and order.

💡physical force

Physical force is the use of physical power or coercion by the police to secure compliance with the law or to restore order. The video script discusses the appropriate use of physical force by the police, stating that it should only be used when necessary and when other methods of persuasion, advice, and warning have proven insufficient, as per the Peelian Principles.

💡police efficiency

Police efficiency, as defined by the Peelian Principles, is the measure of the police's effectiveness in maintaining law and order without the need for visible police action. The video script explains that the true test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, rather than the number of arrests made or the visibility of police presence.

💡historical tradition

The historical tradition mentioned in the video script refers to the long-standing concept that the police are part of the public and serve the community. This tradition is encapsulated in the Peelian Principle that states 'the police are the public and the public are the police', highlighting the idea that the police are citizens in uniform who are tasked with full-time attention to duties that every citizen shares in the interest of community welfare.

💡Sir Robert Peel

Sir Robert Peel is credited with the establishment of modern-day policing and the development of the Peelian Principles. The video script identifies him as a key figure in the history of policing, noting that his principles, developed in 1829, have shaped the ethical framework for policing and continue to influence police practices nearly two centuries later.

Highlights

The origin of the police force is traced back to Britain, not an evil regime from World War II.

A British politician initiated the idea of a national police force, facing initial skepticism and resistance.

The concept of a police force was historically seen as a potential tool for suppression and unpopular rule.

Nine principles of policing, known as the Peelian Principles, were developed to define an ethical framework for policing.

Public cooperation and maintaining public trust are emphasized in the Peelian Principles.

The Peelian Principles are foundational to modern-day policing and stress the importance of community relations.

The police's effectiveness is measured by the lack of crime, not the number of arrests.

Trust and accountability are paramount for an effective police authority.

The police are regarded as citizens in uniform, embodying the community they serve.

The first Peelian Principle: The police's mission is to prevent crime and disorder.

The second Peelian Principle: Police effectiveness depends on public approval of their actions.

The third Peelian Principle: Police must secure public cooperation for voluntary law observance.

The fourth Peelian Principle: Public cooperation diminishes with the use of physical force.

The fifth Peelian Principle: Police should not cater to public opinion but demonstrate impartial service to the law.

The sixth Peelian Principle: Use of physical force by police should be the minimum necessary.

The seventh Peelian Principle: The police are part of the public, maintaining a historic tradition of community service.

The eighth Peelian Principle: Police should focus on their functions and not assert judicial powers.

The ninth Peelian Principle: The absence of crime and disorder is the true test of police efficiency.

The Peelian Principles, developed in 1829, laid the groundwork for modern community policing practices.

The term 'police service' was adopted over 'police force' to convey a softer approach to law enforcement.

Understanding the history of policing is crucial for anyone interested in law enforcement or reform.