Case study 5 - Robert Peel

Question 1

Who was Robert Peel?

Answer 1

The British Home Secretary for most of the 1820s

Question 2

What was Robert Peel’s importance in policing?

Answer 2

He was able to win over a reluctant public to set up the Met police force - which still exists to this day

Question 3

What was significant about the Met?

Answer 3

They were the first truly professional police force, with training, uniforms and continuous government funding

It was especially important, given the weaknesses of the old system (with the constables and watchmen)

Question 4

When was the Met set up?

Answer 4

1829

*For more info about dates, see the period study (1700-1900)

Question 5

What were the initial limitations of the Met?

Answer 5

They were accused of attracting only bad recruits - the people recruited were poorly trained and didn’t have very good discipline

Initially, the Met only covered a 7 mile radius

Question 6

What two things did Peel do in 1823?

Answer 6

Reduce the number of capital crimes by more than 100

The Gaols Act

Question 7

When was the Gaols Act passed?

Answer 7

1823

Question 8

How did the Gaols Act change the old system

Answer 8

Prisoners separated

Prisoners to live in healthier conditions with better food

Gaolers to be paid staff, as opposed to people who made money off prisoners (e.g. charging them to unlock handcuffs or letting them back into their cells)