American Law Enforcement Model: Modern Policing In The United States

For over a century police departments in the United States and across the world have been following Sir Robert Peel's twelve principals of policing. Almost nothing or very little has changed since these principals were first implemented in England's "Scotland Yard". Many of these principals are behind today's investigating and policing practices.

Sir Robert Peel had a huge impact on England, American, and the world policing. He is also known as the father of modern policing. In 1829 Peel persuaded the Parliament of England to create the London Metropolitan Police, which is now recognized as the first modern police force. Peel created three elements he incorporated into London Metropolitan Police. First was mission. The mission was crime prevention and what can be done to prevent crime from happening. The second was strategy. Peel created a strategy to that he had hope would deter crime. The third was organizational structure. Peel set up hierarchical organization, a standard uniform, ran designations to police officers, and a chain of command similar to the military’s (Walker & Katz, 2011).

Police forces or Law enforcers have been used for centuries all around the world but America took particular interest in the English’s policing system. America’s policing ideas and process began

Policing has been a part of America for many decades. In fact, policing was known to exist prior to 1066, the year of the Normandy Invasion of Britain. Throughout the years policing has been a complicated and ongoing progress. The people of England did not have a stabilized policing standard and were often responsible for protecting and serving themselves. As early as the 1600s the Colonial America introduced the English styles of policing; citizens were responsible for monitoring community members’ behavior. Early constables and sheriffs were with the increased rate of crime and developed a ‘sort’ in community policing known as “watch and ward.” Later throughout history in the early 1700s policing became an

Sir Robert Peel is known in the books as the founder of the first form of an English police department: the London Metropolitan Police. This was after his London Metropolitan Police Act passed in 1829, giving greater power to the English police force and establishing what he is known for today. Peels ideas were very well defined and offered a lot to policing even up to modern day. To understand the impact of this, we must take a look at Peel's act, and know how it would change policing.

Policing today consists of three eras. These three eras have adapted and built off one another through history (Parr, 2014). The first era started around 1840 to 1930, and is known as the Political Era. The second Era is known as the Reform Era and lasted from 1930 to 1970. The last era is called the Community-Problem Solving Era and is still being adapted and used today. The Political Era emphasizes on meeting the needs of politicians. The police were given power through the local government and the community had very little say in what happened. The police and politicians worked together to control the city and neighborhoods (Palmiotto, 2000). This was often referred to as a ward. The ward politician controlled all the police in their neighborhood. The police officers tasks included not only crime prevention and order but a lot of social service activities that involved their neighborhoods. The officers resembled the ethnic backgrounds of the neighborhoods they lived and worked in and performed their patrols gaining trust from their community (Palmiotto, 2000). This allowed positive integration of police officers leading to more public service, and the trust of the officers to stop crime when is starts.

Starting In 1829, Sir Robert Peel began developing his theory of policing. These nine principles are as relevant today as they were in the 1800's. Peel established the Metropolitan Police when he served as Home Secretary of England. Since Sir Robert Peel introduced his principles of policing in the early 1800's, our country has continued to follow his ideas of effective policing. Community policing is based on Peel's concept of prevention.

There were many significant developments in policing which aided the effectiveness of law enforcement in Britain from the period of 1830 to 1965. Reasons as to why developments were necessary in this period; firstly between the years 1829 – 1850 there was a steady increase in crime[1]. Secondly as time progressed criminals came up with ways to beat the policing system, therefore it was necessary for policing in Britain to develop, in order to keep on top of crime. Development factors such as; the establishment of the Metropolitan Police Force, passing of key legislation were key developments in policing

The United States admired Sir Robert Peel’s principals of policing and therefore adopted it to incorporate into their legal justice system of law enforcement. The government tried to incorporate Sir Robert Peel’s Principals into different cities with no luck or gratitude. In 1838, Boston became the first city to incorporate these principals and have the first organized policing in the United States. In 1845, New York City followed suit. Soon thereafter, Philadelphia followed suit but it did not follow the principals, destroying different forms of policing. Finally, Philadelphia collaborated their policing style to be organized and uphold order by way of Sir Robert Peel’s Nine Principals.

Robert Peel is probably the most influential name associated with modern day policing. In the year of 1829, he formed the first modern metropolitan police department which the modern day police were known as “Peelers,” or “Bobbies.” He set up principles, which are called Peel’s Principles of Law Enforcement that have influenced that has set the foundation to how to keep the safety of fellow citizens as well as justice for actions. These nine principles set up what he envisioned the metropolitan police to stand for and he wanted people to mold themselves to the conformity of the nine principles.

Differences and Similarities in Police Training and Policy in the United States and other Countries

For over a century police departments in the United States and across the world have been following Sir Robert Peel's twelve principals of policing. Almost nothing or very little has changed since these principals were first implemented in England's "Scotland Yard". Many of these principals are behind today's investigating and policing practices.

The origins of policing within the U.S. trace back to its English heritage. Concepts concerning police and also the community, crime hindrance, the posse, constables, and sheriffs developed from English enforcement. Starting at 900 c.E., the role of enforcement was placed within the hands of the common, everyday subject. Every subject was accountable for aiding neighbors who could be victims of outlaws and thieves. As a result of no cops, people used state-sanctioned force to keep control of the areas.

Sir Robert Peel decided that it was time for a unified police force that would protect the London people. He designed the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829 which created a unified police system in London. This system called for the hiring of individuals who were qualified to serve as policemen. These individuals had to submit an application to the police commissioners of the metropolitan police stating their age, work history, and a reference letter. Peel wanted the Policemen to be respectable men who would not provoke the public and who would

Robert Peel is probably the most influential name associated with modern day policing. In 1829, he formed the first modern metropolitan police department in England where his officers were known as “Peelers,” or “Bobbies.” He set up principles, which are called Peel’s Principles of Law Enforcement that have influenced modern day law enforcement. These nine principles set up what he envisioned the metropolitan police to stand for and wanted officers to mold themselves to them. If Peel’s principles were incorporated in modern police departments than encounters could decrease, police brutality wouldn 't have existed and the relationship between the police and citizens today could have been stronger and more trustworthy.