History of Police

* History of police

* In this brief examination, the history of police will be defined. This will include describing the impact of Sir Robert Peel on American policing and analyze the relationship between the United States government and the policing organizations throughout the United States in addition to how this relationship may affect police practices. It is outside the scope of this brief examination to offer the complete history of policing throughout the world. Instead, this essay is an attempt to trace the heritage and key developments in police history.

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* Prior to the 1800s policing actions were performed mainly by military. It evolved from the “Marechaussee,” which had a dual military and civil function since the 16th century. Post 1800s there was a deliberate movement to differentiate the local police from the military. This civilian model became the basis for English police and the primary influence in the development of the newly colonized East Coast of the United States. In the early stages of policing the American colonists shadowed the English model of policing; this is referred to as watch and ward. The community considered it a civic duty for all citizens and offered no pay or training. The duty required monitoring community member’s actions; morals, behaviors, and civil responsibilities rather than criminal issues, therefore, criminal investigation was not included in these early systems.

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Sir Robert Peel changed the way policing would be conducted in the future. He is perhaps the most influential person in the development of policing and is often considered the father of modern policing. He helped create the modern concept of the police force; he developed the nine basic principles that are often referred to as “The Peelian Principles.” These principles helped bring about modern police policy.

In 1829 Sir Robert Peel established the first organized police force, which he named the Metropolitan Police Force. This idea of...