Should police officers wear some sort of a uniform? Or should they wear civilian clothing, along with a badge and their gear, maintaining a low-profile as much as possible? Is a uniform necessary for professionalism? (What would sheriffs and constables of the past have worn? Whatever was typical of the nobility?) Is a visible presence important for deterrence? Would deterrence be necessary in a small community? While police officers can effect some measure of deterrence in larger communities, doesn't this effect persist only while they are present? Hence, there is the problem of size and 'policing' by patrol car.
Some oppose the adoption of military-style BDUs by police officers, even though these are more comfortable and suited to the demands of police work (according to police officers who wear them), because this would make the police too 'militaristic' and be at odds with their actual function in society. Peter Hitchens holds on to the ideal attributed to Robert Peel in his creation of the Metropolitan Police Force, namely that the police officers should appear to be like an ordinary citizen as much as possible. Mr. Hitchens criticizes the replacement of the traditional bobby by the modern police officer accordingly. But what are the functions of the police, in addition to providing a defense of a community from criminals? The police are not merely referees and political life is more than a game--the stakes involved are much higher.
While they should appear like ordinary citizens as much as possible, they also have to be different, so that they are noticeable. Is it possible to balance being readily identifiable with blending in with the citizenry? Or are these two considerations so opposed, despite being seemingly necessary? What if it is the case that for the police to be truly effective, their presence should be concealed rather than be obvious? In order to determine what it is for the police to be effective, we must first know what its function is.
One detective for the Metropolitan Police has written that, "In 1829 the Metropolitan Police Act led to the introduction of the modern police force. The primary means of policing was conspicuous patrolling by uniformed police officers. The key objective was the prevention of crime." Is this ideal too unrealistic? Even though LEOs are said to enforce, that is compel observance or obedience of, the law, they cannot be a constant monitor everywhere, even in public areas--they cannot prevent a well-conceived crimed or one that is hidden from patrols or surveillance. In the U.S., because of the reliance on patrol cars, they usually only respond after a crime has been committed, and apprehend those who are guilty of crime and bring them to judgment and punishment. Though they serve the legal system and justice, they are not a tool of punishment, which is the coercive effect of law. They are also involved in the physical defense of a community, which function is assigned by Plato to the guardians in The Republic. And to an extent they act as referees who can mediate a dispute or de-escalate a situation before things turn ugly. Critics, in their zealous support of the deterrent function of police forget that the police must also defend the public and themselves from violent criminals, and therefore take the necessary precautions. (As the use of knives increases, is the time of the unarmed bobby coming to an end?)
Police officers are not meant to be social workers, though they should show a concern for their fellow citizens and do what they can to help because they are a citizen and in a position to do so. But these two roles should be kept separate, unless they are participating in the role of those who rule or of the magistrate? Otherwise, where the line be between showing proper concern for a fellow citizen and being a busybody?
Who should be entrusted with giving moral and spiritual direction to the members of the community, other than those who are virtuous and wise? And should they present themselves as sources of such aid, or should they rather wait until they are approached? In a fragmented community, perhaps only the police can be in such a position, but in a fragmented community, how can we be sure that the police themselves can be reliable moral guides? Being able to cite the laws of a community is not the same as being prudent or knowledgeable of (and conformed to) higher principles that should inform human law.
If it is proper to a republican constitution (or polity -- see Aristotle's Politics) for most to be citizens, would not the function of protecting a community from its internal enemies be a duty incumbent on everyone who is qualified to be a citizen as well? This seems to be in harmony with Peelian Principles. (Is it better to have a designated 'neutral' party apprehend those who have committed crimes, rather than relying upon the family of the victim(s)?) (Even in other constitutions, all the members of a community may be responsible for its defense, even though they might not hold office or have a share in ruling.)
The police are an instance of function being specialized within a community, and not of delegation or restriction of a function to certain persons, as in the case of legislating or ruling. If a true militia were to be established, how many people would lose interest in becoming a police officer, and look for another means of support while still feeling that they are engaged in the duties of a citizen? If citizens were more capable of defending themselves, or did not give the appearance of being passive sheep, would it be necessary to set the police apart in appearance in order to make their presence known and thus scare criminals off? And does having a uniformed police force (along with restrictions on firearms) serve to degrade the exercise of citizenship? If the citizenry cannot rely on the police to prevent crimes (which they cannot do to any great degree, at least here in the United States), would they not be somewhat justified in feeling angry that they have to support a group of people who seem useless?
Links:
Peelian Principles - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Peelers - The World's First Police Force.
A History of the Nine Principles of Policing
Blues And Twos - Police Officer's Blog (UK policing)
City of London Police (wiki)
Metropolitan Police History
The Metropolitan Police
Wiki: Metropolitan Police Service; Metropolitan Police Act 1829, 1839
The Metropolitan Police Act, 1829
Metropolitan Police Act 1829 (c.44)
Police authority and reform in Augustan Rome and nineteenth ...
Google Books: An Introduction to Policing and Police Powers, by Leonard Jason-Lloyd
Elaine Reynolds, Before the Bobbies: The Night Watch and Police Reform in Metropolitan London, 1720-1830 -- Google Books
| Book Review | The American Historical Review, 104.5 | The ...
To First U.S. Bobby, Unarmed Is Unsafe
Johnson, who used to stand ceremonial guard duty at the White House and other Washington sites as a member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, said British police need far better training.
He said he had 36 weeks of academy training and supervised field work to become a police officer in Texas. But at Thames Valley he said he received less than half that, and most of the instruction involved how to fill out paperwork.
Johnson said British officers are instructed to retreat if they see a gun and call for backup from armed officers, but that can give suspects time to escape. He said he recently found himself in the same room with a man wanted for attempted murder and he could easily have taken the suspect by surprise and apprehended him.
But, Johnson said, because the man was believed to be armed, he was ordered not to approach him. The suspect walked away and was arrested by armed officers two days later.
"If he had gone out and committed more violent crimes in those two days," Johnson said, "I would have felt personally responsible."
BBC NEWS | UK | England | London | Armed police tackle gun murders
Another page for Sheriff Richard Mack. (Previously mentioned here.)
Constitutional Duties of a Sheriff
The Spiritual Politician: Sheriff Richard Mack: America's ...
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