Lesson 4: Police Powers and Decision Making:
Overview of Policing:
• Policing emerged in the 10th century in England > Policing was considered a
community responsibility (Took the form of organized community groups)
Hue and Cry: Requirement that all able-bodied men were expected to assist with
maintaining order in the community (Crime control)
• The Frankpledge System, based on the hue and cry principle where men were
organized into tythings
Tythings: Men as young as 15 were organized into groups of 10 families
Tythingman: Each tything had a tythingman who was charged with the responsibility of
keeping order
• 1700s Henry Fielding established the 1st modern police force of England,
consisting of paid constables, equipped with handcuffs and uniforms > This
attempt proved to be insufficient
• 1829 Sir Robert Peel established the 1st full time police force located in London
® The Peel Metropolitan Police Act, consisted of 1000 unarmed police
officers (Aka the Bobbies)
Canadian Context:
• 1st emerged in Quebec settlements in the 1600s based of French policing
• Mid-1800s municipal police forces began to emerge in larger cities (Toronto,
Halifax, Hamilton and Winnipeg)
North-West Mounted Police: Established in 1873 by the Hudson's Bay Company with
the purpose of maintain order in the western parts of Canada > Maintaining order in the
areas that surrounded their trading posts. Distinguishable by their paramilitary structure
(Inspired by the Royal Irish Constabulary, would later be adopted by municipal forces)
® Became RCMP in 1920
The Structure of Canadian Policing:
1. Federal Level of Policing: RCMP (Recruits trained in Regina, SK)
RCMP Police Act: Piece of federal legislation that provides the framework for the
operation of the RCMP
® Organized into 16 divisions, 14 are operational, organized into 4 regions: Pacific,
NW, Central and Atlantic
® Enforce most federal statutes (Criminal Code, Controlled Drugs & Substances
Act, the Securities Act, etc.)
