Metropolitan Flashcards
When was the Metropolitan Police Act put in place and what was it?
In 1829 this replaced the system of watchmen and parish constables and had 3,200 men
What was the uniform of the metropolitan police and why was this?
The uniform was designed to look civilian rather than military and officers remained unarmed to distinguish them from the army. This was to reduce public fear that police limits freedom. Blue overcoat and a top hat and carried a truncheon, rattle and handcuffs
Who introduced the Metropolitan act and describe his reasons
Sir Robert Peel was appointed Home Secretary in 1822. He used statistics to paint a picture of raising criminality and reassured fellow politicians that it was no threat to freedom. He gave police officers clear guidelines on behaviour including that they were only allowed to use physical force when necessary
State the reasons for the introduction of the Metro police
Government and taxation: The war with France in early 1800s forced the government to raise more money through taxes and local authorities given own tax which could be used to pay for a police force
Increased fear: There was a belief that violent crime was on the increase which it was in the years following the French wars when unemployment was a problem
Urbanisation: The growth of towns had made the use of constables and watchmen seem inadequate. In London especially there were too many people and fear of crime and revolution was strongest.
State the two main points of police force in the industrial period
1829: Metropolitan Police Act began Britain’s first professional police force in London
1856: Police Act meant it was compulsory for all towns to set up police forces and by this time the police were regarded with respect and not suspicion.
