on this day in 1829...

[Aussie Rules]

Sir Robert Peel thought it time we had civilian law and order by introducing the 'Metropolitan Police Act'

[SourceOfTheTrent]

I know they were nicknamed 'Peelers' and 'Bobby's' after the said PM but I've never known where 'Coppers' came from, unless 'to be copped' was a term prior to their formation? Can anyone enlighten me?

When you think about it it's incredible we didn't have a proper organised police force any earlier than 1829!

[TheSage]

Isn't the word "copper" connected to the word cop, meaning to catch someone? As the saying goes - cop hold of this. Might be wrong.

[Aussie Rules]

Isn't the word "copper" connected to the word cop, meaning to catch someone? As the saying goes - cop hold of this. Might be wrong.

 

I think so Bon'Ami, but in this case I seem to recall our plods in that era wore large copper helmets

 

If not, I'm claiming a senior moment

[Howjy04]

Copper referred to the badge they wore.

[Jacko51]

Robert Peel, for all his faults, will always be remembered by me as the man who put country before party with his support for repeal of the Corn Laws. You just don't see politicians do stuff like that these days.

[RailwayRowdy]

I know they were nicknamed 'Peelers' and 'Bobby's' after the said PM but I've never known where 'Coppers' came from, unless 'to be copped' was a term prior to their formation? Can anyone enlighten me?

When you think about it it's incredible we didn't have a proper organised police force any earlier than 1829!

 

Albeit a smaller band of men, the “Bow Street Runners” as they were colloquially known were a professional force which was formed some 80 years earlier.

[Tone]

Robert Peel, for all his faults, will always be remembered by me as the man who put country before party with his support for repeal of the Corn Laws. You just don't see politicians do stuff like that these days.

 

Can you imagine the response Peel would have received on social media?