Case Study 5: Robert Peel Flashcards
When was Robert Peel appointed Home Secretary?
1822.
What were Robert Peel’s ideas for reducing crime in 1822?
- Creating a centralised police force
- Different from the army
- A non-military uniform to separate the police from the government.
What did Robert Peel set up in 1829?
The Metropolitan Police.
Why were the Metropolitan Police so significant?
It was the first centralised and professional police force with uniforms, training and government funding.
What were the public’s views on the new police force?
Many thought that the police would be used as a means of oppression and that plain-clothed officers were no more than spies.
How did Peel overcome these concerns?
He made sure that the police only used physical force when necessary and that all officers should behave within the law.
What did the Metropolitan police officers do?
They were well-trained recruits that patrolled areas with high crime rates.
What were the ‘peelers’ uniform?
It was a non-military uniform consisting of a top hat, handcuffs, truncheon and a blue overcoat.
What did Peel’s penal reforms do?
He reduced the number of crimes punishable by death by 100, including removing many minor crimes.
How did Peel improve conditions in prisons?
He passed the Gaols Act in 1823.
What was the Gaol Act?
- It stated that prison warders (gaolers) must be paid
- Prisoners shouldn’t be put in chains
- Prisoners should be separated by sex and age
Why was the Gaols act very limited?
There were no paid inspectors to enforce the act, so the impact was small.
