Who is credited with establishing the first professional police force in England?

The establishment of the first professional police force in England is credited to Sir Robert Peel, who founded the Metropolitan Police Service in London in 1829. Peel's initiative was significant because it marked the transition from volunteer watchmen and private individuals enforcing the law towards a structured and organized police force tasked with maintaining public order and safety.

Peel's approach emphasized the importance of community cooperation and the concept that police should engage with the citizens rather than dominate them. He established principles of policing that are still relevant today, including the idea that the police should work collaboratively with the public to achieve safety and order.

The other individuals mentioned, while significant in varying contexts concerning law enforcement, did not establish a structured police force like Peel did. For instance, Allan Pinkerton was known for creating a private detective agency in the United States, Gabriel Reynie was involved in the early policing efforts in France, and Henry Fielding was an early advocate for organized policing in London but did not establish the first professional force in England.