Metropolitan Police Act 1829

The Metropolitan Police Act 1829 (10 Geo.4, C.44) was an Act of Parliament introduced by Sir Robert Peel and passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom. The Act established the Metropolitan Police of London (with the exception of the City), replacing the previously disorganized system of parish constables and watchmen. The Act was the enabling legislation for what is often considered to be the first modern police force, the "bobbies" or "peelers" (after Peel), which served as the model for modern urban police departments throughout the English speaking world.

Section 1 of the Act established a Police Office for the Metropolis, to be under two commissioners who were to be Justices of the Peace.

Section 4, constituted the Metropolitan Police District from the Liberty of Westminster and parts of the counties of Middlesex, Surrey and Kent, and stated that "a sufficient number of fit and able men shall from time to time, by the direction of His Majesty's Secretaries of State, be appointed as a Police Force for the whole of such district..." The constables were to have power not only within the MPD, but also throughout Middlesex, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Essex and Kent.

Section 6 made it an offence for the owner of a public house to harbour a police officer during his hours of duty.

Section 7 outlined the powers of the new police force. A constable was empowered to apprehend "all loose, idle and disorderly Persons whom he shall find disturbing the......
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