Discuss the different academic responses to contemporary criticisms of the old police. How helpful are these discussions in highlighting explanations for the establishment of the Metropolitan Police force in 1829.

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Hannah Bannister                                                                         Word count excluding Bibliography- 1,965

Understanding Policing 

Discuss the different academic responses to contemporary criticisms of the ‘old police’. How helpful are these discussions in highlighting explanations for the establishment of the Metropolitan Police force in 1829.

There are numerous criticisms of the ‘old police’ many of which are very helpful when looking for explanations for the establishment of the Metropolitan Police force in 1829. Before 1829 the police force was seen to be unorganised, unreliable and corrupt which could certainly explain the establishment of the new police force in 1829.  Robert peel clearly saw the need for reform especially when the crime rates increased rapidly during Queen Victoria’s reign.

Until 1829, law enforcement had been very unorganised and unreliable. As London’s population expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries the whole question of maintaining law and order had become a matter of public concern. In 1812, 1818 and 1822, Parliamentary committees were appointed to investigate the topic of crime and policing. Although it was not until 1828 when Sir Robert Peel set up his own committee, that the findings paved the way for his police bill, which in turn led to the setting up of an organised police service in London (The Metropolitan, Police 2011). The Gordon riots of 1779 saw Lord Gordon organise, a protest which was formed to secure the repeal of the Catholic Relief Act. These riots made a profound impression on policing, it showed how ineffective our legal system was and that it was in need of reform (George F. E. Rudé 1956: 93-111).

The role of the Constables required them to apprehend anyone accused of a crime, and bring them before a justice of the peace. Constables also had a general responsibility to keep the peace, but there was no expectation within society that they should investigate or prosecute crimes. The constables were seen to be corrupt but when policing a small town or village, where you live then it was safe to assume they ultimately knew everyone e.g. neighbours friends etc. Which when you are on duty you have to arrest people, it can envitably put the constable in a conflicting situation.

They are not likely to arrest individual they know especially when being a constable was only voluntary. Law enforcement was not only left to the constables but to the ‘watchmen’ as well. ’Night watchmen patrolled the streets between 9 or 10 pm until sunrise, and were expected to examine all suspicious characters’ (Emsley, C , Hitchcock, T and Shoemaker, R 2011). During the eighteenth century, however, the arrangements by which men served as constables and watchmen changed significantly, and in some ways altered how criminals were detected and apprehended (Emsley, C , Hitchcock, T and Shoemaker, R 2011).

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On the surface law enforcement seems effective and organised but there is evidence to suggest otherwise. ‘The local parish constable was generally a part-time officer, following some other trade or occupation, who could, at best, react to requests for his services. There could be no expectation that he would take a proactive role’ (Phillips, D and Storch, R 1999: 4).  The local constable being only part time was not fully committed to the role as constable, therefore crimes were being overlooked and the convictions of criminals low. In order to effectively fight the increase in criminal activity there would have ...

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