The Police are the Public and the Public are the Police - The Origin of Peel Regional Police is Sir Robert Peel's 'Peelian Principles'
Attention history buffs! Did you know that Peel Regional Police was formed 46 years ago this month? Yes, it’s true. On January 1, 1974, when the Regional Municipality of Peel was created, Peel Regional Police was as well. The new police organization was staffed by the members of the former police services of Mississauga, Port Credit, Streetsville, Brampton, and Chinguacousy through amalgamation.
The foundation on which Peel Regional Police was built however is based on the modern policing principles of nineteenth century British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel (1788 – 1850). Sir Peel created London’s Metropolitan Police in 1829 in response to a heightened level of crime and an inconsistent method of handling it at the time. He established a policing system that outlined the uniformed constables’ duties and how they would be carried out. The system was rooted in Sir Peel’s belief in the notion that;
“The police are the public and the public are the police.” - Sir Robert Peel.
As such, constables were to investigate crimes, make arrests and present offenders to the magistrate while conducting themselves with integrity, transparency and accountability.
Sir Robert Peel’s policing system contains nine “Peelian Principles” which focus on the use of crime prevention strategies and the necessity of a positive relationship between the police and the community. He underscores that the police are merely paying full attention to what is everyone’s shared responsibility.
Considered to be the father of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel and the principles he inscribed set the framework which continues to guide the officers of his namesake Peel Regional Police in how to work closely with the community in an effort to improve the collective quality of life.
For more information about the history of Peel Regional Police, please visit www.peelpolice.ca/our-history.
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