Does Bangladesh Police adhere to principles of Robert Peel, the father of modern policing?

The effectiveness of the police in performing their duties relies heavily on public approval of their existence, actions, and conduct – according to one of the nine principles of a centralised police force formulated by Sir Robert Peel, who is often regarded as the father of modern policing.

Has the police force in Bangladesh succeeded in earning that public approval – or, as Peel described it, "public respect" – throughout its history since its establishment?

The current crisis facing the Bangladesh Police since the fall of the Awami League government on 5 August has raised significant questions about the organisational and ideological structure of the force.

While Bangladesh Police on its website acknowledges Peel's contribution to the foundational principles of modern policing, it remains questionable how much it has truly embraced or implemented the teachings of the former British Prime Minister, who served two terms (1834–1835, 1841–1846).

As illustrated by the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs survey, published today (3 November), there is a strong demand among the people of Bangladesh for a police force that is free from political influence, corruption, and one that is loyal and impartial in enforcing the law.

In this context, it is worth revisiting the nine principles formulated by Robert Peel, who established the London Metropolitan Police – a model for centralised, uniformed police forces worldwide in the 19th century.

The 9 principles 

To prevent crime and disorder as a preferable alternative to relying on military force or harsh legal punishments.

To acknowledge that the ability of the police to carry out their duties depends on public approval of their existence, actions, and behavior, as well as their capacity to earn and sustain public respect.

To understand that securing public respect and approval requires earning the willing cooperation of the public in upholding laws.

To recognise that the need for physical force and coercion decreases in proportion to the level of public cooperation achieved in accomplishing police objectives.

To seek and maintain public favour, not by catering to public opinion, but by consistently demonstrating impartial service to the law, independent of political influence, and without considering the justice or injustice of individual laws.

This includes offering personal service and friendship to all members of the public, regardless of their wealth or social status, exercising courtesy and good humour, and being willing to make individual sacrifices in the protection and preservation of life.

To use physical force only when persuasion, advice, and warnings have proven insufficient to secure the necessary public cooperation for enforcing the law or restoring order, and to employ only the minimum amount of physical force required to achieve the police objective in each specific situation.

To maintain a relationship with the public that reflects the historical principle that "the police are the public, and the public are the police". The police are simply members of the public who are paid to devote full-time attention to duties that every citizen should undertake for the welfare and survival of the community.

To always adhere strictly to police-executive functions and avoid any appearance of overstepping into the roles of the judiciary, or of avenging individuals or the state, or of authoritatively determining guilt and administering punishment.

To recognise that the true measure of police effectiveness is the absence of crime and disorder, not the visible display of police action in addressing them.

Application of Peelian principles

Based on these principles, Robert Peel introduced a bill in the British Parliament in 1829 that established an organised civil police force in the London Metropolitan area.

Although there was initial opposition to the existence of a uniformed police force, the success of the London police in controlling social disorder and crime captured the imagination not only of the people of England but also of Europe and America.

In 1833, New York City adopted a modified version of the London model when it established its first Municipal Police Force.

In 1858, the British government took full control of Indian territory from the East India Company. Inspired by the success of the London police, organised under Peel's 1829 Act, the British government sought to reform the police system in the subcontinent along the lines of the British constabularies.

To this end, a police commission was established in 1840, and based on its recommendations, the Police Act (Act V of 1861) was passed by the British Parliament. This Act led to the creation of a police force in each province of British India, which was placed under the control of the provincial government.

The administration of a province's police force was entrusted to an officer known as the Inspector General of Police, while the administration of police in a district was placed under the Superintendent of Police. This Act remains in force across the subcontinent and continues to regulate the functioning of the police in Bangladesh as well as in other countries of the region.