Law Enforcement in Modern Britain (Edexcel GCSE History): Revision Note

Modern Britain has seen science and technology develop at a remarkable pace. These changes have increased both the range and complexity of crimes. They have also led to changes in police work. Police now have new and improved ways of responding to and handling crimes. The police force itself has also specialised. Officers are now trained to acquire expertise in specific areas.

Alongside catching criminals, police are now expected to do more to prevent crime. They do this by working with the public and encouraging community law enforcement. However, modern police still face criticism. Some believe they do not adequately represent the communities they police. This has led forces like the Met to pursue more inclusive recruitment policies.

Women

Homosexuals

Ethnic minorities

During the First World War, women in the police force were volunteers and matrons. After the First World War, women became official police recruits. Initially, they were not given the same duties or powers of arrest as their male counterparts. They mostly dealt with issues involving women and children. This changed over the following decades as gender equality increased

Between March 2016 and March 2020, the number of female police officers in England and Wales increased by 2.6%

Harry Daley was the first openly gay British policeman. He joined the Metropolitan Police in 1925 when homosexuality was illegal. Though he faced some discrimination at work, Daley considered his colleagues largely tolerant

There is now a National LGBT+ Police Network. It is made up of male and female police officers working towards equality, diversity and inclusion in the police

In 1968, Sislin Fay Allen became the first black female police officer in the Met and the UK. She decided to apply after seeing a recruitment advert for male and female officers

In 2020, 9.4% of Met Police officers were black or Asian. Since 2021, the Met has been aiming for 30% of its new recruits to be from ethnic minority backgrounds (excluding white minorities)