This essay will examine the role of the police in the 21st century and will focus on the speech given to the Association of Chief Police Officers in June 2010, made by MP Theresa May who at the time of the statement in June 2010 was Home Secretary, meaning she was responsible for the Home Office and responsible for crime and police groups and partners to reduce crime, along with many other roles. The statement she released includes the following statement “I couldn't be clearer about your mission: It's not a thirty-point plan; is to reduce crime. No more, no less." . This statement will take center stage throughout the essay to examine how it shapes the role of the 21st century police officer. Another component that will be examined in this essay is the affirmation statement that every police officer must have to be certified in the police force. The statement of affirmation sets out the clear role of 21st century police officers and it is the duty of officers to abide by the statement. Additionally, this essay will examine how the role of the 21st century police officer is also shaped by other factors, including the Peelian principles established in 1829, how the history of policing in the 19th century has shaped the future of policing today. Another factor this essay will examine is how the 2025 vision of policing has influenced and will influence policing in the 21st century and into the future. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay In the statement of affirmation issued by all police officers at the time of their attestation it is stated: "to the best of my strength, so that peace may be guarded and preserved and prevent any crime against people and property". This means that all police officers in the UK essentially have a duty to prevent crime, as this is in the attestation statement which should be at the forefront of all officers' minds as they are sworn in at the point of becoming an officer. This part of the statement of affirmation is in accordance with the statement made by Theresa May MP to the National Police Chiefs' Council in June 2010 in which she said: “I could not be clearer about your mission: it is not a 30-year point plan ; is to reduce crime. No more, no less.” Both Theresa May's speech and the Statement of Affirmation specifically mention that the role of the police in the 21st century is to reduce crime. Although this is not a new role for the police as it was also specified in the 9 Peelian principles of policing established in 1829, in the 19th century as Peelian principle number one states: “To prevent crime and disorder as an alternative to their repression by military force and severity of legal punishment". However, this was not always a norm within society as the Peelian principles established in 1829 together with the Metropolitan Police Act 1829 established a full-time professional police force for London, 14 years after the end of the Napoleonic War between Europe and France. , this led to the police force encountering opposition as it was based on the French policing model and Europe had been at war with France for the past 23 years. However, now, in the 21st century, we police by consensus that comes from the 9 principles of policing established by Robert Peel in 1829 and the public relies on the police to help prevent crime. It is now a norm for the police to prevent crime, as they are complying with thiswhich Theresa May stated in her 2010 speech. However, evidence has shown that there are multiple roles for the police in the 21st century, one of these roles may be the need for the police to act as “peacekeepers”. In the following statement by Theresa May MP “I could not be clearer about your mission: it is not a thirty-point plan; is to reduce crime. No more, no less." There is no specific mention of peacekeeping, while the statement of affirmation says “see that peace is maintained and preserved”. Furthermore, in Bowling, Reiner, Sheptycki's book it is mentioned that the police often act as "keepers of the peace" and may not fully enforce the law due to the limited capacity of the criminal justice system. The Peelian tradition also focuses on the preservation of public tranquility along with the control of crime, this also confirms what is stated in the Statement of Affirmation and is a key role of police officers in the 21st century. This is also further supported by statistics, as in 201617 64% of incidents attended by the police were not criminal incidents. The reason for this is that the police is a 247 service unlike other social and support services. This highlights how the role of the police in the 21st century is much more than just reducing crime. However, it is still an important role of the 21st century police officer, as seen in the Policing vision 2025. The Policing vision 2025, set out in 2016 by the National Police Chiefs' Council, sets out how and why policing will change, these Changes Make does not focus exclusively on one area of ​​policing, but covers all aspects, from local policing to digital policing. However, the main role of the reform is to act in the public interest and improve the protection of communities. This is in line with what Theresa May said in her speech, however, without directly referring to reducing crime, the actions taken will over time result in a reduction in the amount of crime within communities. The Police Vision 2025 is overseen by the Police Reform and Transformation Committee, which met for the first time in February 2016. Its aim is to adapt policing in communities and to the specific needs of society by focusing on public protection at aim of reducing crime, which also links to the part of Theresa May's statement where she states that the role of the police is to reduce crime. However, the sole aim of the vision is not only to reduce crime, contrary to Theresa May's speech, but also focuses on the provision of effective services and support for victims of crime. This will also ensure that public trust in the police is denied, helping to keep the relationship between the police and the public strong and trust in the role and work of the police force high and ensuring that the police continue to police with consent to the within the United Kingdom. Within the Policing Vision 2025, the mission and values ​​statement of the police service is stated. Within this and the Affirmation Statement there is a similar theme of peacekeeping being a key role of the police in the 21st century. If all police officers work within the guidelines of the mission statement and keep in mind the statement of affirmation they will have made, the goal should be to maintain peace within the societies they police. This means that the only objective, contrary to Theresa May's speech, will not be to reduce crime, however if peace is maintained, crime rates.