Robert Peel was a noted British Conservative of the nineteenth century, one who enjoyed a vastly influential career in English politics. He served, in fact, as Prime Minister on two separate occasions. Despite some important actions taken by him in these terms, Peel’s legacy is most usually associated with his creation of the first metropolitan police force in Britain, in 1829. Within a few decades, Peel’s concepts and framework would cross the Atlantic and be gradually adopted by the United States, and this basic framework remains very much in place today.
Policing Before and After Peel

As regards England, there was no established police authority prior to Peel’s taking over the Home Secretary post in 1822, as it would take some years before he would be able to translate his ideas on policing into reality. There was some authority controlled by the cities and municipalities of the nation, but it was highly disorganized. The “police” appeared only during major conflicts, and British citizens were essentially expected to protect their own interest and safety. In fact, the law prior to Peel’s innovations required that each male citizen own a gun for this purpose (Stevens, 2008, p. 45).

It seems that establishing a controlled police force was always something of a concern for Peel; as early as 1813, while serving as Chief Secretary for Dublin, he attempted to form such a constabulary there, perhaps as a trial measure. It would not be until 1829, however, with the additional powers of Home Secretary to support him, that Peel could actually set in motion this first, city force. It was composed of approximately one thousand officers. The ranks have, of course, steadily increased over the years, yet the British police are to this day are referred to as “bobbies”, as derived from Robert Peel’s name.

Meanwhile, and not unexpectedly, the policing situation in the