The police exist to prevent
crime and disorder. Any action they take must be a demonstration of
impartial service to the law, not as catering to public opinion.
Police only resort to physical force when less-violent avenues like
persuasion and warning prove futile. The police is put to the test
not when there's a crime but when there isn't.
These are some of the
principles police in the U.K. take to heart, popularly known in
policing as the Peelian Principles. Created by Sir Robert Peel, known
as the "father of modern policing," the nine principles
describe what a modern police force should be and how they should
work. These principles are also being used by police forces around
the world.
Several Peelian Principles
take centre stage on the discussion of various policing issues like
the use of force. Even though a police officer has tried but failed
to sway a person into surrender, the word "tried" comes
into question. Did the officer try enough, as in "made any
effort?" More importantly, did the officer really exhaust all
less-violent methods?
Nevertheless, the Peelian
Principles serve as a basis for development of policing doctrines on
keeping the peace. Police forces develop tactics on when the use of
force is justified and to bring their man down using non-lethal
means. The Peelian Principles, after all, highlight the importance of
gaining public trust.
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