Sir Robert Peel Essay Example

Sir Robert Peel Essay Example Sir Robert Peel Essay Sir Robert Peel Essay Sir Robert Peel Paper Sir Robert Peel, Britain’s home secretary felt that preventing crimes and reforming criminals would have a more positive effect on society rather than punishing them (Williams) 2003. This research paper will describe how policing was handled in the early centuries as opposed to policing in America today. This research paper will explain the impact that Sir Robert Peel had on American policing. In the early centuries criminals were punished quite differently. Up until the last two hundred years most societies relied upon citizens and communities to ensure that laws were upheld and criminals apprehended (Grant) 2008. When crimes were committed citizens and communities usually took the law in their own hands and decided what the punishment would be. According to Grant (2008), within early societies justice was typically an individual matter. As time went on different laws were passed to establish a more ordered justice system. The Code of Hammurabi and Vigiles were established as society became more complicated. The Code of Hammurabi took the power of punishment out of individual’s hands and made the law more consistent. Vigiles were used to keep the peace and investigate crimes. Different organizations were formed to help enforce the law. Shires, tithings, shire reeves, constables and posses were all systems of the law. These establishments were just the beginning of trying to develop a well organized justice system. After many years of trying to establish a system to help prevent criminal acts, there was still not a successful law enforcement act put in to place until the 1800’s. According to Grant (2008), Sir Robert Peel established London Metropolitan Police and eventually passed the London Metropolitan Act 1829 which provided funds for development of policing. Sir Robert Peel developed a set of principles that police officers should abide by that are still relevant intoday’s society. According to Grant (2008), these are the nine principles: (1) the basic mission for whom the police exist is to prevent crime and disorder; 2) the ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions; their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions; (3) police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure and maintain the respect of the public; (4) the degree of cooperation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionally to he necessity of the secured diminishes proportionally to the necessity of the use of physical force; (5) police seek and preserve public favor not by catering to public opinion, but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law; 6) police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice and warning is found to be insufficient; (7) police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and 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; (8) police should always direct their action strictly towardstheir functions and never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary; (9) the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it. These principles are still being used in law enforcement today. Because of the Metropolitan Act and the nine principles that were established by Sir Robert Peel, law enforcers are easily recognized and respected. The principles make sure that law enforcers serve the citizens and communities to the best of their abilityFinally we understand the impact of Sir Robert Peel on American policing and its history. Sir Robert Peel’s main focus was to establish a system that would work for citizens as well as police. His principles are used by law enforcement in society. Sir Robert Peel established order within the justice system and made it easy for the public to cooperate when solving crimes. today’s