Early Roots of Policing: Sir Robert Peel's Twelve Principals of Policing

Early Roots of Policing: Sir Robert Peel's Twelve Principals of Policing

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 POLICE MUST BE STABLE, EFFICIENT, AND ORGANIZED ALONG MILITARY LINES.

This is very true in today's police work. A police department has to be able to stand the test of time. By this I mean must be capable of enduring changes in government, and be able to react to any situation they may encounter. The department must also be efficient when handling a case or investigation, any wrong step and everything goes the wrong way. Also must be like in the military, follow chains of command and promote in rank

(Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain, Major, etc. etc.).

2. THE POLICE MUST BE UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL

With this second principal the government oversees the police activities and intervenes whenever any guarantees given by the constitution of the United States have been violated by any form of local, state, and federal law enforcement. And also keeps a watchful eye on any one of these agencies who are doing so.

3. THE ABSENCE OF CRIME BEST PROVES THE EFFICIENCY OF POLICE.

This is a rule I really do not agree with. The fact that there is no crime is not entirely due to the police department. It is also due the growing number of neighborhood watch programs. These people are also due credit when crime either is non existent or down to the minimum in some parts of a city. It is also true that the sole ...

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...ts of that area feels unsecured and unprotected. They know that if there is more police out on their neighborhood, the chances of something happening and the police quickly responding are big. On the other hand if there is little police and a crime is committee, the residents know, that the police are going to prioritized the calls that are more urgent and may take hours for the police to respond to that specific crime scene. I think this also sometimes discourages people from calling the police department when they need help.

In conclusion, even though these principals have been in effect for over a hundred years. They should be looked at an amended to better fit the needs and growth of the citizens of a town or city. Better training, good managing skills, easily accessible police headquarters and professionalism are what make a good and outstanding police officer.