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Invention of Peel's Principles: A Study of Policing Textbook History

NCJ Number
217541
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2007 Pages: 69-79
Author(s)
Susan A. Lentz; Robert H. Chaires
Date Published
January 2007
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined the textbook history of Peel's principles, the set of 19th century precepts often referenced as foundational to modern policing.
Abstract
Given the importance of emerging historical scholarship and of textbooks to the understanding of criminal justice history, a rethinking of Peel's principles, their content and purpose is most certainly in order at this time. The invention of Peel's principles can be found in 20th century policing textbooks. Peel's principles have been particularly important in that they are often used in modern criminal justice education as the "grandfather" of today's practices, as a way of showing how and when policing became rational. However, in the uses of history in textbooks, it must be noted that the purpose or focus of much textbook history is often obscure. Today's law enforcement and policing textbooks commonly include a list identified as Peel's principles. However, in researching the origins of such lists and their principles, the study found that they are largely the invention of 20th century textbook authors. This study examined the textbook history of Peel's principles. It specifically examined the origin of Peel's principles and how these principles are known to be true. The study traced the factual origins of Peel's principles through a review of textbooks. Tables, references