004. Reasons for and against police forces

What were the reasons against formal police forces?

Not government’s business, invasion of privacy, Liberals believed police shouldn’t police political ideas, would be expensive and rise taxes, better to use capital punishment as a deterrant

Why did people think it wasn’t the government’s business to police?

People can operate preventative policing themselves

Expand on how police forces were invasions of privacy?

Against freedom to criticise the government

Why did people prefer capital punishment as a deterrant?

Criminals were not afraid of constables

What factors overcame opposition of police forces?

Problems with existing system, increased crime and gov. involvement, growth of towns, fear of revolution

Describe the problems with the existing system?

JPs, constables + watchmen unable to cope and ineffective

What did growth of towns cause?

Made constables + watchmen out of date as there were too many people

How was there increased government involvement?

Raised taxes -> allowed local authorities to raise local taxes to pay for services

Why was there a fear of revolution?

Protests made gov. + landowners fear revolution

When did crime rates rise?

Years following the French Wars

What did people fear about crime?

They feared crime + violence was on the rise and out of control