THE POLICE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 20, Issue 514, 29 April 1949, Page 17

THE POLICE

A SHORT HISTORY OF THE BRITISH POLICE. By Charles Reith. Oxford University Prass. English price, 3/6. ‘THE author of this useful little book points out that in the course of her history England has had three distinct police systems-the Tything-man system introduced from the Continent by the Saxons, the Parish-Constable system, and the "New Police" as the force created after the passing of Peel’s Act of 1829 was called. The Saxon system did not long survive the Norman invasion of 1066 and gave way to the Parish-Constable system. The story of the breakdown of this system presents a picture of the appalling conditions prevailing in England in the latter years of the 18th Century and the early years of the 19th. Deputies who acted for the parish-constables, night-watchmen and runners, worked in co-operation with law-breakers of every kind. Law-abid-ing citizens were at the mercy of thieves and thugs. No one was safe. A Prime Minister was held up and robbed by a highwayman in Piccadilly. Disorder was widespread. The Military was tried as a law-enforcing agent and failed. The State, triumphant over its enemies abroad, seemed unable to protect its people at home. Despite all this, the merchants, wealthy citizens and prominent members of both political parties strenuously opposed the creation of a police designed to restore order and check the wave of crime that had swept over the whole country. A committee, set up by Peel in 1822, reported that curtailment of the advantages of freedom of action and exemption from interference which were the great principles and blessings of society in England was considered too great a sacrifice for improvements in police or facilities in the detection’ of crime. How, in face of all opposition, the "New Police" established under Peel’s Act finally succeeded and how the new system was introduced into the boroughs and counties and developed into the Force as we know it to-day is told in interesting chapters. A most interesting book upon a perhaps little known subject. A book that shows ‘the dangers that may arise from an insufficient, inefficient, or corrupt police and emphasises the lesson that to function successfully, a police must have the goodwill and co-operation of the public. The public must look upon the policeman as its friend and pro-

tector.

John

Gallagher