The definition of the word ‘police’ is the arrangements made in civilised countries to ensure its citizens keep the peace and obey the law.
Policing, in one form or another has existed in societies as far back as Babylonia. Augustus the Emperor of Rome had one of the earliest forces of organised police. In 7 BC he divided Rome into 14 regions or wards. Each of which was sub divided into vici or precincts and overseen by vicomagistri, whose duties amongst others included fire protection.
A year later in 6 BC, a particularly bad fire raged, resulting in the vicomagistri being expanded into a corps of vigils. These were made up of seven squads or cohorts, each of 1,000 freedmen. Each cohort had responsibility for fire protection and policing.
The Origins of the British Police Force
Policing in its present form has existed for about 150 years. The earliest form of policing in Britain predates the Norman Conquest. The Saxon frankpledge was a private, social obligation in which all adult males were responsible for the good behaviour of others. The people were expected to live peaceably and lawfully, keeping the King’s peace.
This was more formally arranged with men between the ages of 12 and 60 organised into groups of 10 family units called tithings (also spelled tythings). These were headed by a tythingman.
Each tything was grouped into 100, which in turn was headed by a hundredman. He acted as an administrator and judge. The hundredman reported to the King’s deputy, the local shire reeve whose responsibility was it to keep order in the county.
Raising a Hue and Cry
If a crime was seen to be committed, the witnesses were expected to raise the alarm by shouting for help, this was known as raising a ‘hue and cry’.
The frankpledge form of policing changed little until the Norman Conquest of 1066. On a local level, Lords of the Manor created Manor courts. A man was chosen to hold the unpaid position of ‘constable’ for a period of a year. It was his job to raise the hue and cry, arrest and detain criminals and to oversee the watch and warn system, their main responsibility was to guard the city gates at night. Their duties later expanded to include lamp lighting, calling time and fire detection. Unfortunately the responsibility for investigation and prosecution was still in the hands of the victim.
This remained more or less unchanged until King John signed the Magna Carta (great charter) in 1215 at Runnymede. The Statute of Winchester 1285, set down that people should have an understanding of the law and that people should be tried for crimes. The Statute stated that it was the duty of every citizen to maintain the King’s peace. Any citizen could arrest an offender, although the (still unpaid) constable had a special duty to do this, assisted in towns by the watchman.
Today, in England and Wales, the magistrate is appointed by the Lord Chancellor on behalf of the crown to keep the peace. The duties of modern day Justices of the Peace date back to the Justice of the Peace Act 1361. A number of the most worthy men in the county were assigned to restrain offenders and rioters. They were to arrest, take and chastise them. Some of the punishments they metered out included placing the offenders in stocks, ducking them in the pond and also whipping them.
Eventually fees were stated to be paid to the justices of the peace and to constables. In time this was standardised and a stipendiary police force evolved. The fees were sourced from public rewards, insurance companies, commercial houses, prosecuting associations and funds raised by subscription.
The payment of fees was not limited to the JP’s and constables; anyone could claim them by becoming a ‘thief taker’ or informer.
The Bow Street Runners
In 1750 Henry Fielding, novelist and Chief Justice of Westminster, set up the Bow Street Runners, their numbers started with just six police officers, by the end of the 18th century their numbers had risen to approximately seventy.
Debate continued during the early part of the 19th century as to the importance of a police force in England. The Home Secretary of the time, Robert Peel, later Sir Robert Peel, sponsored the first successful bill for a salaried civilian police force. The Metropolitan Police Act 1829 was limited to the London area; however it excluded the City of London and provinces.
Policemen were to be easily recognised and dressed in uniform. Patrols would prevent crime and disorder. As the police were to be salaried, stipend or rewards were not permitted for the resolution of crime or the return of stolen property. Along with their regular duties, the new police force would continue some of the duties of the watchmen such as lighting lamps, calling time and fire detection.
Even within the Metropolitan Police districts there remained a number of police establishments outside the control of the Metropolitan Police. These were the Bow Street patrols; both mounted and on foot, latterly named the Bow Street Runners. Police constables attached to these offices were under the control of the magistrates. By 1839, with the exception of the Marine or River police, all of these establishments were absorbed by the Metropolitan Police force. The City of London Police Force was set up in 1839 and to this day remains independent.
Sources:
- MetPolice.UK
- BBC History on Line
- Encarta
- Encyclopaedia Britannica
- Police.HomeOffice.Gov
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