This meant that drastic improvements in law and order were essential.
The Metropolitan Police Force was first set up in 1829. More importantly, by 1870, the police force had dramatically improved, with 239 separate police forces active throughout Britain, each with their own rules, responsibilities, wages and conditions.
However, conditions for policemen were appalling. Their level of wages was below the level of a skilled worker, in addition, most recruits were farm labourers or unskilled men. The only training that a policeman may of experienced was some basic military skills. Moreover, the majority of the police force worked seven days a week, the remainder of policemen were not allowed out on their day off. Although the police force was increasing and slowly improving, they were not very efficient.
Following on, there were no female officers in the 19th century, which meant that crimes involving women were often left unsolved, or not given the suitable amount of investigation needed to solve them. Police recording at this time was also haphazard and unspecific.
Many police forces did not have "special units" and no detective labs were used. In 1848, the police appointed 8 plain-clothes detectives, although there was a great deal of suspicion about them, it was the start of a new era.
Gradually Londoners began to realise that the police were having an effect on decreasing the levels of crime being committed. This was an important factor in the public's approval of the new police force. By the late 19th century, there was a greater amount of police present in London. The police became more organised and efficient as time went by. The most important role of this new metropolitan police force was to control and prevent crime, however, the police did hold many other responsibilities, which included: controlling riots, watching for fires, lighting London's lamps etc.
Whilst the system of policing in London changed dramatically during the 19th century, some elements of English law and order remained the same.
One such author is Jack London. What interested me the most about Jack London was his book "The Call of the Wild." ... This essay will take a look at this "trickery" found in chapter one of "The Call of the Wild." ... At this moment he learns the lesson of primitive law. ... In this world, the traditional system of justice, law and order is subverted, and a new system reigns through primitive rule. ...
