Metropolitian Police 1829

• From 1826, there was an economic downturn, which led to increased poverty and so increased crime and rioting.
• Peel argued that it would be a good idea for having a centralised system for keeping the peace across London. As a result the first Metropolitan Police officers were appointed in September 1829.
• These new police officers were organised in a military style hierarchy and employed full-time with weekly pay. They had standardised trainings and had a headquarters set up in Scotland Yard.
• Initially, there were 2800 new recruits to this police force.
• The reaction from the public and press was hostile. They were portrayed as poorly-trained and immoral.
• Of the 2800 recruits initially signed up, only 600 were retained for a year or more.
• People also worried about oppression from a military-style presence on the street, and the increased cost to the tax payer.
• To try to overcome these criticism, Peel drew up some policing guidelines, which still provide the foundation for modern policing today: a. The police existed to prevent crime and disorder b. They would police by consent, and would need the respect of the public. c. To do this, they would need to demonstrated impartial service to the law. d. They should only use physical force when necessary and when other options have not worked. e. The police are part of the public, not above the public (‘citizens in uniform’)