ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the recent history of the police organisation in England and Wales from the latter end of the 18th century which explains how the current structure came into being. It includes a critical discussion concerning the Metropolitan Police Act 1829, as well as subsequent legislation, which saw the spread of the ‘New Police’ across England and Wales during the 19th century. It also introduces the reader to the fact that the introduction of new forms of policing was not uniformly welcomed by many in society, and in many instances was rejected. Contrary to popular belief that the police structure was introduced overnight, the chapter explores the fact that there was a gradual assimilation of the new police structure into many older structures, especially in rural areas. The chapter concludes with an introduction to recent important historical developments that have affected the structure of policing today.
