Abstract
he term ‘legitimacy’ is used extensively throughout contemporary debate surrounding the actions of police officers across Britain. Fuelled by global discussions on law enforcement practice, force areas have become focused on developing new initiatives and processes to improve trust and confidence within communities, believing this will enhance relationships and foster positive
outcomes. Policing by consent has long been seen as the dream of Sir Robert Peel and from 1829, this became a reality with the creation of the Metropolitan Police. The paper will discuss if the radical reforms of the 19th century were building upon a pre-existing culture of community involvement within enforcement
which dates to the 10th century. Rather than decades of oppression, social and political elites left governance to the citizens themselves, delivering force only on limited occasions and often when mass rebellion was taking place. The piece intends to provide an alternative perspective suggesting that the dark ages may not have entirely lived up to its name.
outcomes. Policing by consent has long been seen as the dream of Sir Robert Peel and from 1829, this became a reality with the creation of the Metropolitan Police. The paper will discuss if the radical reforms of the 19th century were building upon a pre-existing culture of community involvement within enforcement
which dates to the 10th century. Rather than decades of oppression, social and political elites left governance to the citizens themselves, delivering force only on limited occasions and often when mass rebellion was taking place. The piece intends to provide an alternative perspective suggesting that the dark ages may not have entirely lived up to its name.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 2 |
| Pages (from-to) | 22-32 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | LPC Journal of Policing and Crime |
| Volume | 1 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 6 Jan 2025 |