The French Police in the 19th Century
The framework for the police of nineteenth century France, argues Clive Emsley, emerged out of the reorganisation of the Revolution and the reforms of Napoleon.
In 1896 Ré Waldock-Rousseau, a successful barrister and future President of the Third Republic, wrote an introduction to a book on the Paris Police. 'Ils veillent pour que nous travaillions ' – 'they watch so that we may work' – he declared. The same sentiments might be expressed about the English police of the period, especially by an historian or politician, or anyone else who, wittingly or not, perceives them in the same way as the police historian Sir Charles Reith – the thin blue line which saved society from 'uncontrollable crime and mob violence.' Yet even though men looked across the English Channel in both directions for ideas during the nineteenth century, the structure of the French and English police forces developed in vastly different ways.
To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.
Start my trial subscription now
If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.
Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.
