I am writing a series of articles where I discuss Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing.  I believe these principles are as important today for law enforcement leaders as the day Peel penned them. Click here to read my introduction to the topic and discussion of Principle #1.   Click here to read about Principle #2.  Click here to read about Principle #3. Today, my focus is on Principle #4. Principle #4 To recognise 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. In today’s context, most people would read Principle #4 and agree with it immediately.  If we take a look back in time, that view may not always have been the case.  However, Principle #4 expresses a timeless truth that is still relevant today as it was in 1829. Law enforcement needs the willing cooperation of the public to do their job effectively.  We can’t use force to compel them to comply. The use of force by police officers is a necessary part of their job.  However, that use of force must be reasonable, appropriate, and delivered…

I am writing a series of articles where I discuss Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing.  I believe these principles are as important today for law enforcement leaders as the day Peel penned them. In the first article, the focus was on preventing crime.  In the second article, the focus was on respect.  If you missed either article, click here to read my introduction to the topic and discussion of Principle #1 and click here to read about Principle #2. Principle #3 Today, my focus is on Principle #3. To recognise 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.  Many of Sir Robert Peel’s principles build upon each other.  That is certainly the case for Principle #3, which expands upon some of the previous discussions of respect and approval.  If law enforcement has the respect and approval of the public, that will generally lead to the willing co-operation of the public in voluntary observance of the law. I have added the word voluntary because some versions of Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing use…

If you missed my first post related to Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing, click here to read my introduction to the topic and discussion of Principle #1. Today, my focus is on Principle #2. Principle #2 To recognise always that the power of the police to fulfil 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.  From a legal perspective, law enforcement’s power is derived from local, state or federal laws that establish a law enforcement agencies ability to conduct law enforcement functions on behalf of the governmental entity where they are located. However, true power comes from the people. Sir Robert Peel recognized this truth way back in 1829 with this principle.  If a law enforcement agency operates in a way that is contrary to the values of the community, the power given to the department by the government can be revoked. On June 17, 2010, the Maywood-Cudahy Police Department was disbanded after years of failures.  The California attorney general’s office concluded that the department was “permeated with sexual innuendo, harassment, vulgarity, discourtesy to members of the public as well as…