History of Policing Flashcards
(51 cards)
Describe kin-based policing in medieval times.
Kin-based policing involved communities policing themselves through mutual aid, exemplified by the practice of the ‘hue and cry’.
Define a ‘tithing’ and its role in medieval policing.
A ‘tithing’ consisted of 10 families and was part of a larger structure where ten tithings formed a ‘hundred’, which was responsible for local law enforcement.
Explain the structure of medieval policing as it relates to ‘hundreds’ and ‘shire’.
Hundreds, made up of ten tithings, became known as Parishes, and several Hundreds formed a Shire, which is now often referred to as a county, with the sheriff responsible for policing.
How did the Statute of Winchester in 1285 impact local law enforcement?
The Statute of Winchester mandated that every hundred citizens appoint two constables to assist the county sheriff, alongside new magistrates and justices of the peace.
What powers were granted to constables in the 1330s?
Constables were empowered to deal with affrays, apprehend thieves, collect and assess taxes, regulate alehouses, manage drunkards and disorders, and enforce environmental regulations.
Explain the role of constables in community policing.
Constables could raise the hue and cry for assistance and were responsible for reporting to the justices of the peace.
What changes occurred in the role of constables by the 1720s?
By the 1720s, hiring a substitute for the role of constable had become commonplace, leading to a decline in the office’s effectiveness.
Discuss the detection of crime in the early 19th century
Constables were not expected to take an active role in detection, and victims continued to undertake most of the detection work well into the 19th century.
What were the significant issues of concern in early 19th century policing
Regulating city populations was a major concern, exacerbated by the Napoleonic Wars, which led to food riots and an influx of impoverished demobbed soldiers.
How was public order maintained during the early 19th century?
Public order was often managed by the military, with a Justice of the Peace reading the ‘Riot Act’ and aristocratic officers overseeing poorly trained soldiers.
Describe the impact of the Industrial Revolution on policing.
The Industrial Revolution led to mass migration to factory towns, creating challenges for existing systems of control that were inadequate to address the associated social issues.
What was the government’s 1785 bill regarding policing, and what was its outcome?
The 1785 bill proposed a force of policemen organized into nine divisions under three salaried magistrates, but it faced strong opposition and did not succeed.
Describe the concerns of the landed gentry regarding the establishment of a paid police force.
The landed gentry were fearful that the establishment of a paid police would undermine their authority.
Explain the resistance to the police from the working class.
There was strong resistance to the police from the working class.
Define the orthodox view on the development of the police force in England
The orthodox view suggests that England faced serious crime and disorder, making the development of a police force an obvious solution.
Define the revisionist view on the purpose of the police force.
The revisionist view argues that the police were constructed by the ruling class to safeguard and maintain the status quo and to discipline the new industrial working class.
How was the Royal Irish Constabulary formed and by whom?
The Royal Irish Constabulary was formed in 1822 by Robert Peel.
Describe the policing practices of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Its policing practice consisted largely of heavily armed patrols on horseback emanating from a series of strategically dispersed barracks.
Explain Robert Peel’s background and contributions to policing.
Robert Peel was the son of a Lancashire textile manufacturer who made a fortune from child labour.
He abolished the death penalty for over 180 crimes and founded the first modern police force.
What significant legislative actions did Robert Peel take in 1823?
In 1823, he abolished the death penalty for over 180 crimes and later repealed the Corn Laws, which had artificially elevated food prices.
Who were Sir Charles Rowan and Sir Richard Mayne, and what roles did they play in the new police?
They were appointed as civilian commissioners of the new police by Peel in July 1829, with Rowan being a Colonel and Mayne a barrister.
Explain the origin of the term ‘Scotland Yard.’
The term ‘Scotland Yard’ originated from a sign in the yard of a private house used by the new police, which bore the simple phrase ‘Scotland’.
Describe the initial structure of the Metropolitan Police established in 1829.
The Metropolitan Police initially appointed 500 officers, with patrols beginning on the evening of September 29, 1829.
What was the purpose of the uniform designed for the new police?
The uniform was designed to be distinct from military uniforms of the time.
