NCJ Number
147166
Journal
Police Studies Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1993) Pages: 167-179
Date Published
1993
Length
13 pages
Annotation
The first modern police department in the British Isles was established in Ireland in 1786 replacing the parish watch system for a short 9-year period. By 1795, political controversy resulted in the demise of the police force.
Abstract
With the passage of the Police Act of 1786 by the Irish Parliament, the first modern police force in the British Isles went into operation. This centralized police force replaced the parish watch system with an initial strength of 40 mounted petty constables and 400 armed policemen. This article discusses outstanding work done by some of the most influential members of this early police force. Although this force achieved some success in their investigative efforts, the police force was not politically popular. The new police bureaucracy was very expensive to run and required taxation of the citizens to finance. The regulatory functions of the police were also unpopular. Within 9 years of its creation, the police force all but disappeared and full control over the running of the watch was returned to the local parishes. It would not be until 1838 that organized policing would reappear in the British Isles with the formation of the Dublin Metropolitan Police.