Robert Peel's 12 Principles Of Policing

The twelve Principles of Policing were developed by Robert Peel and they are still applicable by today’s standards. Looking at the standards individually one can better understand how they can still apply after all this time. The first of these principles states, “The police must be stable, efficient, and organized along military lines” (Bohm & Haley, 2011, p. 141). The military is known for its efficiency and ability to organize which in turn produce a stable environment and an organization which can function at a peak level. By operating in this manner, the public is afforded a more efficient and effective police department. The police department is afforded an efficient department in which a chain of command exists for the betterment of the entire department. …show more content…
141). Placing the police under governmental control, it helps to minimize corruption in the department. The governmental control establishes oversight which results in the officers and the department being held accountable for their actions. The third principle states, “The absence of crime will best prove the efficiency of police” (Bohm & Haley, 2011, p. 141). In the case of a police department, if the work is being done effectively and efficiently the end product will be a reduction in crime. In the fourth principle, Peel states, “The distribution of crime news is essential” (Bohm & Haley, 2011, p. 141). By distributing crime news, the officers within the department and also the public are always aware of the status of crime within the municipality being served. The fifth principle states “The deployment of police strength both by time and area is essential” (Bohm & Haley, 2011, p. 141). In this principle, the importance of police presence is identified as a key issue in preventing and fighting crime. Police visibility can often deter crime while making the public feel