ASIS International (ASIS) Professional Certified Investigator Practice Exam

Who is known for creating the Bow Street Runners?

1. Robert Peel

2. Henry Fielding

3. Clive Popay

4. Allan Pinkerton

The correct answer is: Henry Fielding

The Bow Street Runners were established by Henry Fielding in the 18th century in London. Fielding was a magistrate and a writer who recognized the need for a more organized approach to policing in response to rising crime. He formed this small group of runners, essentially an early form of a professional police force, to pursue and apprehend criminals. The Bow Street Runners served as a prototype for modern policing, focusing on the prevention of crime and the understanding that policing should be a public and community-oriented responsibility rather than just a private concern. This innovative approach laid the groundwork for subsequent developments in law enforcement, influencing the establishment of more formal police organizations in England and beyond. Fielding's contributions to policing and the establishment of the Bow Street Runners are significant in the history of law enforcement, marking a shift away from unofficial and often corrupt means of maintaining order toward a more structured and accountable system.