Behind Policing: Three things about Modern Policing that would shock a 19th century police officer.

Abigail Eden
1 day ago
3 min read

Sir Robert Peel founded the Metropolitan Police in 1829 - almost 200 years ago! Since then policing has undergone enormous changes. Many of which would be completely alien to one of Peel’s original officers.

So, this month, I’m narrowing it down to three things I think would shock a 19th century officer the most about modern policing.

Uniform

One of the first things a 19th-century officer would notice is the uniform. Peel’s original “peelers” wore blue tail-coats with high collars and sturdy top hats. The hats even doubled up as step-stools to help officers climb and see over walls. The uniform was created to distinguish the new police as a civilian service rather than a new armed force like the military. That means the uniform was less focused on practicality and was quite tight and restrictive, intended to reflect the formality of the new police.

Image credit: The first Metropolitan Police Force: Sir Robert Peel, London, 1829

Police uniform continued to evolve throughout the 19th century and eventually led to the introduction of the iconic custodian helmet in 1863. This helmet remains a highly identifiable and beloved symbol of British policing. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of police helmets, you can read our blog post here: Curator's Corner: The Police Helmet.

The uniform of modern officers is focused on durability and practicality. It features highly durable fabrics that can withstand rigorous use and any adverse weather conditions an officer may face. They allow full freedom of movement, which helps with the physical demands of the job. Just like the idea behind Peel’s original police uniforms, there is still a focus on being easily spotted by the public, with the bright fluorescent yellow seen worn by officers today.

Image credit: A Closer Look at UK Police Uniforms: Balancing Functionality and Professionalism

2. Presence and Role of Female Officers

Another aspect that would likely shock a 19th-century officer is the prominent role of women in policing. During the Victorian era, policing was viewed as being unsuitable for women due to its physically demanding nature.

Image: Edith Smith - Britain’s first female police constable given the power to arrest. — **Image**: Edith Smith - Britain’s first female police constable given the power to arrest.

However, a major milestone came in 1915, when Edith Smith became Britain’s first female police constable with full powers of arrest. Before this, women were mainly involved in caring for women and children in custody.

Major progress began to happen around the 1970s thanks to the Equal Pay Act 1970. Female and male officers were no longer segregated and women were able to carry out the same duties as their male colleagues. Despite this change, it took until 1999 for the title of WPC (Woman Police Constable) to be replaced with the gender neutral PC (Police Constable).

The first female chief constable was Pauline Clare, who was appointed in 1996 in the Lancashire Constabulary, highlighting how recently women began to reach senior positions within policing.

As of March 2024, around 35% of police officers in England and Wales are women.

3. Wages & Job Restrictions

Becoming a “peeler” in 1829 wasn’t easy. You had to be aged 20-27, at least 5’ 7” tall, physically fit, literate, of good character and have no history of any crimes. Once accepted, constables were paid £1.05 a week, around 50p more than the average wage at the time. Although the pay was relatively good for the time, officers worked seven days a week and received just five unpaid holidays a year.

Their lives were also strictly controlled. Officers couldn’t vote, needed permission to marry, and weren’t even allowed to share a meal with a civilian. Most surprisingly, officers were expected to wear their uniform on and off duty, so people could always identify them as police officers. Imagine if that was expected today!

Writer's Profile, Abigail Eden

"Since graduating university, I finally have time to research and write articles about things I enjoy, without the stress of receiving a grade for it! Volunteering at the Bradford Police Museum was the most obvious choice, as I have always found policing incredibly interesting, particularly the ever-changing methods the police have to implement. My goal is to become a speech and language therapist, but arts and heritage will always be something I want to support and engage with."