About the London Policing Ethics Panel
Background to LPEP
London 1829. The first Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis declare a general principle:
London 1829. The first Commissioners of Police of the Metropolis declare a general principle:
‘The power of the police to fulfil their functions and duties is dependent on public approval of their existence, actions and behaviour and on their ability to secure and maintain public respect.’
‘Policing by consent’ was a radical new principle in England in 1829, marking a transition from the authoritarian policing traditions. Since 1829 policing by consent has spread to become the philosophy of many police forces in democracies around the world – and it remains the Met Police’s guiding principle today. Policing by consent means that while the police have day-to-day authority on the streets, the people have the ultimate authority over the police – both through laws laid down by Parliament and by the oversight provided by elected politicians.
The London Policing Ethics Panel (LPEP) hopes to enhance relations between the public and the police by promoting better understanding on both sides. LPEP will advise the police on the ethical conduct that will earn them the public’s continuing approval and respect. The panel’s work will also inform the public of the ethical challenges of policing London and so help the people of the capital to understand what they should expect and require of their police officers. By mediating between public and police the panel hopes to contribute to the Met’s success in securing the people’s continuing consent to police them. We will welcome the public’s views on these issues.
The panel holds that the ethics of Metropolitan police officers should be guided by respect for the people of London, and by the goal of protecting the basic rights and freedoms of the people they serve. Principles of truth and transparency, fairness and integrity, inclusiveness and engagement should inform all of the Met’s procedures. It should be natural for every police officer to be honest, considerate and responsive throughout every encounter with a member of the public. These goals, principles and attitudes are also part of policing by consent, as seen in another of the principles declared by the Met’s earliest commissioners in 1829:
The London Policing Ethics Panel (LPEP) hopes to enhance relations between the public and the police by promoting better understanding on both sides. LPEP will advise the police on the ethical conduct that will earn them the public’s continuing approval and respect. The panel’s work will also inform the public of the ethical challenges of policing London and so help the people of the capital to understand what they should expect and require of their police officers. By mediating between public and police the panel hopes to contribute to the Met’s success in securing the people’s continuing consent to police them. We will welcome the public’s views on these issues.
The panel holds that the ethics of Metropolitan police officers should be guided by respect for the people of London, and by the goal of protecting the basic rights and freedoms of the people they serve. Principles of truth and transparency, fairness and integrity, inclusiveness and engagement should inform all of the Met’s procedures. It should be natural for every police officer to be honest, considerate and responsive throughout every encounter with a member of the public. These goals, principles and attitudes are also part of policing by consent, as seen in another of the principles declared by the Met’s earliest commissioners in 1829:
“To seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion; but by... ready offering of individual service and friendship to all members of the public without regard to their wealth or social standing, by ready exercise of courtesy and friendly good humour; and by ready offering of individual sacrifice in protecting and preserving life”