Then & Now: Force for change

6 July 1829: Under Robert Peel's new Police Act, Charles Rowan and Richard Mayne were appointed the first Commissioners of the new Metropolitan Police. In exactly 12 weeks they recruited 1,000 men, established a pay structure, set up station houses, designed and ordered uniforms, and drafted an 'Instruction Book' of basic principles:

'It should be understood, at the outset, that the principal object to be attained is the Prevention of Crime.

'To this great end every effort of the Police is to be directed . . . Officers and Police Constables should endeavour to distinguish themselves by such vigilance and activity, as may render it extremely difficult for any one to commit a crime within that portion of the town under their charge.

When in any Division offences are frequently committed there must be reason to suspect that the Police is not in that Division properly conducted . . . In Divisions, where . . . security and good order have been effected, the Officers and Men belonging to it may feel assured that such good conduct will be noticed by rewards and promotion.'

Pay scales were established for four grades:

'Superintendents pounds 200 pa; Inspectors pounds 100 pa; Sergeants 22s 6d per week; Constables 21s per week (less 2s towards the cost of uniforms).'

30 June 1993: After 13 months Sir Patrick Sheehy's inquiry into the police force recommended performance-related pay and abolition of various ranks.