Understanding Policing by Consent: Its Origins and Relevance to British Policing

Starting with its conception in 1829, the principle of “policing by consent” has evolved into a cornerstone of effective law enforcement in the UK. This article delves into the origins, principles, and implications of this approach for the British police force.

The Birth of Policing by Consent

The concept of policing by consent was first introduced by Sir Robert Peel in 1829, when he established the Metropolitan Police in London. This was the very first official police force in England, initially comprising just 1000 men. Sir Robert recognized the inherent limitations of a numerically smaller force, emphasizing the need for public support and acceptance for the police to effectively fulfill their duties.

The Peelian Principles

At the core of policing by consent are Peelian Principles, which guide the ethical conduct of the modern British police. Issued as General Instructions to new police officers, these nine principles were designed to maintain the trust and respect of the public. Key principles include:

To prevent crime and disorder as an alternative to their repression by military force and severity of legal punishment. To recognize always that the power of the police to fulfill their functions and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions, and behavior. To secure the willing cooperation of the public in the task of securing observance of laws.

Principles of Policing by Consent

Here is a summary of the Peelian Principles as originally stated:

To prevent crime and disorder as an alternative to their repression by military force and severity of legal punishment. To recognize always that the power of the police to fulfill their functions and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions, and behavior and on their ability to secure and maintain public respect. To recognize always that to secure and maintain the respect and approval of the public means also the securing of the willing co-operation of the public in the task of securing observance of laws. To recognize always that the extent to which the co-operation of the public can be secured diminishes proportionately the necessity of the use of physical force and compulsion for achieving police objectives. To seek and preserve public favor not by pandering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to law in complete independence of policy and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws by ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing by ready exercise of courtesy and friendly good humor and by ready offering of individual sacrifice in protecting and preserving life. To use physical force only when the exercise of persuasion, advice, and warning is found to be insufficient to obtain public cooperation to an extent necessary to secure observance of law or to restore order and to use only the minimum degree of physical force which is necessary on any particular occasion for achieving a police objective. To maintain at all times a relationship with the public that gives reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and 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 and existence. To recognize always the need for strict adherence to police-utive functions and to refrain from even seeming to usurp the powers of the judiciary or avenging individuals or the State and of authoritatively judging guilt and punishing the guilty. To recognize always that the test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder and not the visible evidence of police action in dealing with them.

Modern Application of Policing by Consent

The modern application of these principles can be seen in various scenarios. For instance, in a local town where illegal parking was rampant, with vehicles often parked on pavements and yellow lines, the local council complained to the chief constable. The response was that the police relied on public goodwill to operate effectively. They suggested that if the council offered legitimate parking spaces closer to residents' homes, they would enforce the parking regulations. However, they avoided antagonizing the community where alternatives were unavailable.

This example illustrates how the principle of policing by consent ensures that the police avoid unnecessary conflict and maintain a positive relationship with the community. The ultimate test of police efficiency is not in visible enforcement of laws, but in the prevention of crime and disorder.

In essence, police are servants rather than representatives of state authority. Their role is to protect and serve the public, and they achieve this by maintaining a balance between support, respect, and impartiality in the fulfillment of their duties.