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…

Modern policing has become more complicated and challenging for law enforcement leaders today.  The changing dynamics of crime and disorder, the changing workforce, and the ever-present scrutiny of law enforcement leave many professionals unsure of their path of service. A look back to 1829 may provide an old solution to our current problems. In 1829, Sir Robert Peel introduced the Metropolitan Police Act of 1829, which established the first modern-day police force in London known as the Metropolitan Police Department.  Although Sir Robert Peel is credited with developing the “9 Principles of Policing,” there is some evidence to suggest that Charles Rowan and Richard Mayne likely developed these principles. [i]  Both men served as the first and joint Commissioners of the Metropolitan Police force.  I know what you are thinking.  What?  I can’t believe that.  I thought the same thing.  Still, when I started my research for this article, I found enough questions to support mentioning this discrepancy here.  I don’t believe the questions about the true author of these principles changes the underlying value of them. Modern Day Applicability Although these principles were adopted and used in 1829, their timeless value continues today.  At the time, these principles were…