The importance of transparency and accountability

You had the opportunity to learn about the importance of transparency and accountability of the police to the
public.
Sir Robert Peel who was England’s home secretary drafted the first police bill in 1828 which was the
Metropolitan Police Act for improving the Police in and near the Metropolis. This resulted in the creation of the
first large-scale. Uniformed, organized police force in London (Dempsey, J. & Forst, L. 2016)
Peel has become known as the founder of modern policing, even though he was never a member of a police
agency. Peel created nine principles of policing which guided the early London Police.
Peel’s number seven principle is: “Police, at all times, should maintain a relationship with the public that gives
reality to the historic tradition that the police are the public and the public are the police, the police being only
members of public who are paid to give full-time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the
interests of community welfare and existence” as cited in Dempsey, J. & Forst, L. 2016).
This above Peelian principle has always been important as are all of his other remaining eight principles of
policing. In fact, many police leaders believe that these principles are as valid today as they were in 1828 when
they were created (Dempsey, J. & Forst, L. 2016).
Before you get started, you will need to conduct a search for at least one scholarly article or source on
community policing.
In this week’s discussion forum you will answer the following (using one paragraph per topic):
1 Define community policing.
2 What does Peel’s principle seven above mean to you? (In particular, the police are the public and the public
are the police)
3 How does this apply to community policing?
4 In a closing paragraph, discuss the importance of community police in being transparent with the community
and discuss some ways in which you would recommend police agencies engaging in transparency while
practicing community policing.