Peels Priciples

Question 1

1. To prevent crime and disorder

Answer 1

Police help to prevent crime and disorder which in turn helps the community. This gives way to order within the community to which they serve.

Question 2

2. Police powers are dependent on public approval

Answer 2

Police need the community in order to do their jobs. With the community approval of their actions this helps establish reciprocal respect.

Question 3

Securing the willing cooperation of the public

Answer 3

With the public willing to cooperate with police and support a service’s objectives, this helps establish and maintain rapport and respect.

Question 4

4. Public cooperation reduces need for force

Answer 4

If the public supports and respects the police and the service, this greatly impacts the need for any force used in meeting objectives

Question 5

5. Impartial service to law, protect and preserve life

Answer 5

Common law duties: police do their jobs objectively and strive to check their own biases in order to remain impartial while carrying out their duties. In doing so, the public can see their trust is well placed within the Service and that the officers remain fair and without judgement when doing their common law duties.

Question 6

6. Only use force where necessary and to a minimum

Answer 6

Necessary reasonable and proportionate: police shall only use force when necessary but only that which is reasonable and proportionate when other attempts of advice and warning are not heeded when trying to carry out police objectives and duties

Question 7

7. Police are the public and the public are the police

Answer 7

Officers are public citizens. The difference is officers are paid to perform their duties that are incumbent on every citizen in order to maintain a good community.

Question 8

8. Strict adherence to police executive functions

Answer 8

Police act according to the law and adhering to their duties. They strive to not act on biases, emotions and judgment. They are officers of the law and are not the judge nor the jury in the matters to which they serve.

Question 9

9. Prevention is better than response

Answer 9

You know a police service is doing well and is accepted and supported by the community when crime and disorder starts to decline… it is not measured by the mere act of police doing their jobs to deal with crime and disorder but the absence of it.