Robert Peel and Police Reforms

“the police are the public and that the public are the police, the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare and existence.”
Perhaps one of the most discussed public issues of all times is the interplay of police, state and citizenry. Equally intriguing is one of the most abiding and enduring contradictions of our time, which is that while everyone wants -the state, the judiciary, the common man- an efficient, independent and honest police force, an equally compelling convenience for us is to treat and mold the police as suits our interests- legitimate or otherwise. This dichotomy seems to characterize our national character. While we denounce from roof tops the perniciousness and perversity of graft and corruption in society, we equally easily and without the slightest compunction give and take gratifications when it suits us.
Given the challenges that the modern policing faces today and the apparently diminishing prospect of it getting addressed any time soon, it may be interesting and revealing to recall a leader and statesman Robert Peel who is credited with introducing the policing system that we follow today.
Born on 5 February 1788 to a wealthy textile manufacturer, he became a Member of Parliament when he was just 21. He rose on to become one of the most distinguished Prime Ministers of Britain, not once but twice (1834-1835, 1841-1846) as also the Home Secretary (1822-1827, 1828-30)
While the first term of Peel as Prime Minister was merely for six months, it was the second term that became remarkable in many respects. No prime minister enjoys the distinction of introducing such path breaking and lasting legislation as Peel. The milestone legislations included the Mines and Collieries Act 1842, the Income Tax Act 1842, the Factories Act 1844 and the Railway Regulation Act 1844. Each one was revolutionary, ahead of time and have continued uninterrupted.
The Visionary
But the contribution for which Peel will be eternally commemorated is the introduction of a specialised body of men to be known as ‘police’. In the then London of 18th century, there was no professional police force. Major crime was usually handled by army. Curiously, a novelist by the name Henry Fielding, set up a volunteer group of parish constables. He called them Bow Street Runners.
In 1812, when he was just 24, the maverick, impulsive and impatient Robert Peel was appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland. Against all conventional wisdom and prevailing practice, he gambled with a radical concept, to set up a dedicated force to keep order in the society. The gamble paid off. ‘Peace Preservation Force’ that he set up to keep order, turned out to be a great success and was promptly commissioned into a permanent Royal Irish Constabulary.
Peel was appointed Home Secretary in 1822 and, encouraged by the success of his Irish venture, founded a civil police force in 1829 to keep law and order in London: The Metropolitan Police.
The London Metropolitan Police
It was based in Whitehall Place with a back entrance in Great Scotland Yard – soon shortened to Scotland Yard. The force consisted of 8 superintendents, 20 inspectors, 88 sergeants and 895 constables. They worked seven days a week for £1 a week, and were allowed five days holiday a year, although they were not paid when on holiday. A pitiful £1 a week salary was set at a level so that none would feel “superior to the job”.
The constables began to be called as “Bobbies” or “Peelers” after their founder and, dressed in blue tail-coats and top hats, began to patrol the streets of London on September 29, 1829.
They were armed only with a wooden truncheon which was carried in a long pocket in the tail of their coats. The men were also issued with a pair of handcuffs and a wooden rattle to raise alarm if needed. By the 1880s the rattle had been replaced by a whistle.
Anyone wishing to enlist as a Bobby had to comply with strict rules. They had to be male, aged 20–27, at least 5′7″ (170cm) tall, fit, literate and have no history of wrongful behaviour. They were not allowed to vote in elections and had to have permission not only to get married, but also to simply share a meal with a civilian. They also had to wear their uniforms at all times, both on and off duty.
Nine Principles and Three Core Ideas
Peel placed some core ideas and principles as a conceptual framework for policing. These have been so well thought out and so adroitly articulated that they sum up a philosophy whose validity and utility remains undiminished today and shall remain for ever. He emphasised prevention, not repression; kept public support and approval of policing at the heart of policing; and argued for minding the community principles. In return he expected people to reciprocate in respecting the new institution. He strongly advocated minimum use of force and that too as a last resort, and firmly advised the police against judging the guilty and not to punish them directly. The following sums up brilliantly what he thought of an ideal police conduct,
“Seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws, by ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing, by ready exercise of courtesy and friendly good humour, and by ready offering of individual sacrifice in protecting and preserving life.”
How little has changed over centuries! The basic spirit behind prescribing such a code of conduct, still remains unaltered and pervasively in vogue. The strand of commonness is unmistakable.
The Constabulary
Among the many threads of continuity between then and now, the one most outstanding is the place and role of constabulary or the lowest ranking police personnel. Everyone agrees that making the constabulary effective and empowered is the key to successful policing. Even for those who want the state to have control over police as if it were her hand-maiden, an efficient constabulary is just as necessary even if the objectives were to be nefarious and devious, and undoubtedly a necessity if the objectives are honourable. Improving the efficiency and efficacy, even integrity of constabulary is avowedly one of the major focuses of police reforms. And yet, unfortunately, they continue to encounter an indifference and neglect immoral to justify but so overwhelmingly evident.
Law Maker Par Excellence
Though best remembered as the “father” of modern policing, Peel was responsible for a number of important measures including the Factory Act of 1844, which limited the number of hours that women and children could work in factories. Less laudatory and leading to public approbation, was his introduction of the most discussed tax in human History-Income Tax- imposed ostensibly then to raise cash for the Napoleonic war. It is a resounding testament to the genius of the man that each one of these legislations have continued, got reinforced and expanded with each successive government irrespective of their ideological affiliations and posturing.
Peel, by all accounts, was not well liked. He was arrogant, possessed few social graces and displayed a reserved, off-putting manner. Queen Victoria is said to have found him “a cold, unfeeling, disagreeable man” and they had many personal conflicts over the years. Perhaps it only signified the mark of a man whose intellect and capabilities were far superior to any of his contemporaries or predecessors. And of which he was acutely conscious. He loved to be in saddle and in command. His end on July 2,1850 typically therefore, came three days after he slipped from his saddle while riding. He was 62 then.
Peel’s legacy
Peel’s legacy remains extraordinarily salient and significant. The basic principles of policing that he laid down -each one of them- is as valid and relevant as it was then. They along with the core ideas continue to be the cardinal guiding beacon for the police of today. The most enduring aspect of policing of today is rooted in the right conduct of policemen; and the respect and consideration that they should in turn receive from the authorities and people alike. For the state to be indeed able to enforce the rule and authority of law, an independent and impartial police force is a sine qua non. What he conceived, implemented and promoted manifested vision, sensitivity and exemplary common sense, few politicians, past and present, will be able to match.
The police system is on a wing and a prayer. It demands attention as never before, lest Peel’s brilliantly conceived and resonantly refreshing legacy is given an indecent and unfortunate burial.