Earlier this year, I began blogging about Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing.  My goal was to write a blog post about each principle and the applicability of that principle to policing today.  My plans were interrupted by COVID and the death of George Floyd followed by the protests calling for police reform. These challenges combined with some personal ones have kept me from continuing with my plans for this blog series.  However, I am ready to move forward with my plans now.  The challenges that law enforcement has faced this year has reinforced my belief that Sir Robert Peel’s 9 Principles of Policing are even more important and relevant today than when they were first penned. Imagine sitting down and developing these principles in 1829 addressing the challenges of the day and laying out the foundation for how police officers should interact with the community they serve.  Now, imagine fast forwarding 191 years and finding out those principles have not only stood the test of time, they have become even more important today. Truly amazing! Previous Posts I have previously written blog posts about the first four principles.  Click here to read my introduction to the topic and…

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…