The new civil security force was only introduced in the teeth of opposition, with Peel reporting to the Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington, that it was the most difficult piece of legislation he had ever seen through Parliament. Among the arguments raised against the proposals was the suggestion that it would be an encroachment upon ancient national liberties, to which Peel retorted that "liberty does not consist in having your house robbed".

For obvious reasons, the new policemen quickly became known as "peelers" or "bobbies", after their founder. Still largely unarmed, and expected to assist the elderly across busy roads as much as wipe out organised crime syndicates, the bobbies of England's county police forces are respected throughout the world for their professionalism.