Abigail Eden

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...

“This is the most important piece of equipment you will ever own” - Nicholas Angel, Hot Fuzz (2007) When Sir Robert Peel founded the London Metropolitan Police in 1829, officers were issued little more than a wooden truncheon, a pair of handcuffs and a wooden rattle to call for assistance. Modern-day officers are, of course, expected to carry much more than their 19th-century counterparts; from radios, body armour and tasers to body-worn cameras and handcuffs. Despite all these additions to...