
On the North American frontier, before the government was well organized, vigilance committees (see vigilantes vigilantes Named after a short street in London, the site of a palace used in the 12th cent. The term is often used, popularly, to refer to one branch, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Headquarters of the London Metropolitan Police. Click the link for more information. (see Scotland Yard Scotland Yard, The son of a rich cotton manufacturer, whose baronetcy he inherited in 1830, Peel entered Parliament as a Tory in 1809. The foundations of the present English metropolitan police system were formulated in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel Peel, Sir Robert,ġ788–1850, British statesman. Policing organization operating in secrecy for the political purposes of its government, often with terroristic procedures. In many countries they also have a political function (see secret police secret police, In modern cities their duties cover a wide range of activities, from criminal investigation and apprehension to crime prevention, traffic regulation, and maintenance of records.

Police, public and private agents concerned with the enforcement of law, order, and public protection.
