Eras of Policing
Policing as we know it today has developed from various political, economic, and social forces. To better understand the role of police in society, one has to know the history of how policing became what it is today. Policing has been categorized into three basic eras, which include the Political Era, Reform Era, and lastly the Community Problem-Solving Era that is the present form of policing. Most all of modern-western democracies are based on Sir Robert Peel’s Metropolitan Police Force, which was instituted in 1829. Sir Robert Peel was the founder of modern day policing. He represented Tamworth in Staffordshire for eighteen years. As Home Secretary, he reformed the organization of London‘s weak police force known as Bow Street Runners. These men were thief takers, and also used as watchmen of the night, who consisted of old men who offered no real deterrence to aggressive criminals. Peele soon replaced them with a new force known as “Peelers” or “Bobbies” consisting of young men dressed in dark uniform (Hughes). Peel’s modern policing consisted of nine principles:
The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.
The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.
Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.
The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.
Police seek and preserve public favor not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.
Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient.
Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives
The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder.
The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.
Police must secure the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public.
The degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.
Police seek and preserve public favor not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.
Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient.
Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives
Cited: Hess, Karen, and Henry Wrobleski. Police Operations: Theory and practice. Belmont: California, 2006