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Who is Robert Peel?

Robert Peel is one of the significant figures in the British Conservative Party’s history. According to many, Peel is considered as the first modern Tory prime minister. Peel was also considered as the person who established the modern law enforcement through his policing principles. In 1829, Robert Peel was known as the Modern Policing father after establishing the London Metropolitan Police Force (Law Enforcement Action Partnership, 2021). Peel’s commissioners came up with several fundamental policing principles that are still applicable today, two centuries down the line (Law Enforcement Action Partnership, 2021).

Significance to Policing

            Robert Peel is highly significant when it comes to policing. Evidently, Peel established the Metropolitan Police department located in London alongside its principles which proved to be effective in upholding security and safety in the community. According to Ottawa Police Service (OPS), the nine principles established proved intuitive during the time as well as significant in promoting the success of the members of the police force in the past two centuries in all democratic nations throughout the globe. Moreover, Peel is also significant because the leaders in the police department from the top down position still quote and frequently utilize his principles as the effective reminders of the reasons of their existence and “community policing” (OPS, 2021).

Policing Political Era

            Several events transpired during the policing political era. For instance, the amount of police supervision was limited during the political era. In addition, the level of discretion was also high (Community Policing, 2021). Because the officers completed their tasks in small groups or were required to accomplish their duties alone, they were provided with a high opportunity of shaking down small businesses and drug peddlers. In addition, the lack of supervision drove the law enforcement officers to allow pick-pocketers, gamblers and thieves to go about their business normally as long as they provided a share of their earnings to the police (Community Policing, 2021). The structure associated with this event resulted to the culture of corruption highly evident in the police force up to date.

            The event has influenced policing in the world today by allowing for desirable efforts focused on addressing the issue of corruption in the police force through desirable reforms. Arguably, the function of the police in the society today was founded from the history of corruption, riots and crime experienced at the time (Lee-Jones, 2018). For instance, leaders are establishing ways of addressing the root cause of the corruption with an aim of contributing to the opportunities and incentive to handle the corrupt behaviors. One of the measures considered in the police force today is to increase the salaries of the officers with a focus of addressing cases of petty corruption recorded by junior officers. Moreover, desirable strategies are also put in place by the anti-corruption agency to ensure that corrupt officials are punished to discourage the act (Lee-Jones, 2018).

Professional Era Changes

            Several changes were experienced during the professional era in policing in comparison to the political phase. For example, during the professional era, politics was rejected as an aspect that established a basis for the legitimacy of the police (Community Policing, 2021). During the professional stage, the civil service system was implemented thus ending the political influences when it comes to firing and hiring of the police officer. Additionally, the police officers were no longer considered as individuals working for the political representatives. In addition, professional police training, policing practices, and policing academic institutions were established which made it possible to include several management concepts and training programs (Community Policing, 2021).

Police Crises of 1960s

            Civil unrest was a common feature during the 1960s. The community members showed their dissatisfaction with the prevailing political and social conditions, especially when it comes to the way the minorities were treated (Law.jrank, 2021). Around this period, the Supreme Court made a decision regarding a series of landmark cases, which limited the investigative procedures utilized by the police. The Supreme Court critics generated a decision that the Supreme Court was restricting the police to effectively accomplish its duties (Law.jrank, 2021).  Civil rights movement also increasingly gained momentum during this period. The member of the community also gathered themselves and protested against instances of injustice and race discrimination associated with the criminal justice system.  White male cops were considered as the symbol of the political and social ills symbols within the American society. The officers from across the nation over reacted to protestors with actual fierceness, which served to build the pressure between minority gatherings and the police. This pressure detonated as uproars and common noncompliance, worsening the situation (Law.jrank, 2021).

Developments in Policing Since 1970

            Effective developments in policing have been experienced since the 1970s. For instance, community-policing models have exhibited a change in the tactics used by the officers in handling offenders. Officers have become more creative in their response tactics. For example, the number of police agencies using the paramilitary units, tactical teams, and special weapons groups to handle crime has increased significantly by more than 80% since the 1970s (Law.jrank, 2021b).

            A change has also been experienced in organizational design in that currently, the framework appears to be more theoretical than practical. Nevertheless, the underlying factors in the department are still the same. For instance, the officers are still required to work alongside the members of the community to establish a sense of lawfulness within the society (Law.jrank, 2021b).