All About Policing!

Who is Sir Robert Peel?

lobbied for the establishment of a formal police force in England. He established the 9 principles of policing and influenced the introduced of the London Metropolitan Police established in 1829. Under his influence, new legislation was established; Metropolitan Police Act 1829. These reforms created 7 key police roles - order maintenance, problem-solving, crime control and investigation, apprehending offenders, social service, crime prevention, emergency management

What Makes the Police Role Unique?

• capacity to wield non-negotiable force

• police use of force is used at the discretion of the police officer at the time, in the set circumstances

What are the 9 Principle of Policing?

1. prevent crime and disorder

2. public approval of police actions

3. willing co-operation of the public to maintain the respect of the public

4. the degree of co-operation of the public that can be secured diminishes proportionately to the necessity of the use of physical force

5. impartial service to the law

6. physical force to the extent necessary

7. maintain relationship with the public

8. never usurp the powers of the judiciary

9. test of police efficiency is the absence of crime and disorder

What did Policing first look like in Australia?

What 2 things shaped historical policing practices?

1. police discretion (little accountability) - the scope and use or abuse of coercive powers

2. Police deviance - especially corruption and the effects of workplace socialisation on the activities of police officers

What are theories of Policing?

Rational Choice and Deterrence Theories

• individuals weigh costs and benefits before committing crimes

As a result, police have developed strategies to include:

• visible patrols and rapid response to increase perceived risks of apprehension

• hot spots policing

• situation crime prevention

Critiques and Limitations

• Ethical Concerns

  • over-policing of marginalised communities - exacerbate economic and social disparities

  • risks civil liberties - right to privacy

• Structural Blind Spots

  • doesn’t address broader issues, i.e. poverty (root causes of crime)

  • might be able to pick up heaps of offenders - but doesn’t address root causes

Routine Activities Theory

Offenders make calculated decisions to exploit opportunities, aligning with rational choice theory

• motivated offender

• potential victim/target

• absence of a capable guardian (police)

Social Disorganisation and Community Based Theories

Broken Windows Theory

Social Control Theory

Labelling Theory

Paramilitary Policing

Community-Centred Policing

Zero-tolerance Policing

Community-Oriented Policing

Intelligence-led Policing

Problem-oriented policing