The Peelian Principles

Question 1

What is the first Peelian Principle?

Answer 1

1. The basic mission for which the police exist is to prevent crime & disorder.

Question 2

What is the second Peelian Principle?

Answer 2

2. The ability of the police to perform their duties is dependent upon public approval of police actions.

Question 3

What is the third Peelian Principle?

Answer 3

3. Police must secure the willing cooperation of the public in voluntary observance of the law to be able to secure & maintain the respect of the public.

Question 4

What is the fourth Peelian Principle?

Answer 4

4. The degree of cooperation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force.

Question 5

What is the fifth Peelian Principle?

Answer 5

5. Police seek & preserve public favour not by catering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolute impartial service to the law.

Question 6

What is the sixth Peelian Principle?

Answer 6

6. Police use physical force to the extent necessary to secure observance of the law or to restore order only when the exercise of persuasion, advice & warning is found to be insufficient.

Question 7

What is the seventh Peelian Principle?

Answer 7

7. Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public & the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interests of community welfare & existence.

Question 8

What is the eighth Peelian Principle?

Answer 8

8. Police should always direct their action strictly towards their functions & never appear to usurp the powers of the judiciary.

Question 9

What is the ninth Peelian Principle?

Answer 9

9. The test of police efficiency is the absence of crime & disorder, not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with it.