Police and policing: the distinction between police and policing differentiates between the relatively narrow range of activities conducted by the police service and broader processes of social regulation performed more widely by a diverse range of agencies and actors. As an increasing range of public, private and civil sector organisations become involved in law enforcement, crime prevention, and community safety, policing in these broader terms has become more salient.

Use of force: while police officers are allowed, in general terms, to use a reasonable degree of force in the exercise of their duties, it is often held that the doctrine of the ‘minimal use of force’ has been central securing the legitimacy of the British police. While frequently thought of as an unarmed police force, specialist units providing firearms support are commonly on patrol, and the range of ‘less-than-lethal’ weapons available to officers has increased as CS-spray and ‘tasers’ have been deployed.

Service role: although less high profile than crime-fighting and law-enforcement, much police work is characterised in more diffuse terms of service provision. Dealing with missing persons, directing traffic, and assisting other emergency services do not directly relate to law enforcement or crime control, but account for a significant proportion of police work. The first commissioners of the Metropolitan Police emphasised the ‘service’ role of the New Police in an effort to court public support and it has continued to be regarded as an important source of legitimacy.