Why are British Police Officers called "Coppers" or "The Old Bill"?

Ah!

I would tell you but then I'd just be repeating everything thats written on this website... so click the link and find out for yourself!

X

Dunrobin

Robert Peel was the Home Secretary who founded the Metropolitan Police, which was a civilian alternative to using the army to keep public order.

I had heard it was the buttons, not badges, which were copper. I don't know about the Bill.

davidtrueofvoice

"the old bill" i think this might mean, 'paying the price', facing the consequences sort of thing.

it_wasnt_me

boi i thought they were called pigs lmao but me personally i like to called them 50 :p

ben b

the buttons were copper, and there is a court, the old bailey? or bill is short for william, a connection there?

Mnkeyboy5

Old Bill was a Police Sergeant in the East End who became very well know for some reason; cant remember which but i'm sure someone out there will. This question was asked a while back but i cant seem to find it.

phoenix

That's because way back the original Badges were made from Copper...thus the term "Copper" was born and now in America "Cop".

Signilda

Thye are called "Bobbies" after a famous London policeman Robert Peel.

Polo

[< OLD a. + Bill, pet-form of the male forename William (cf. BILLY n.2).
The character of Old Bill was created by the British cartoonist Bruce Bairnsfather (1888-1959) and appeared in issues of Bystander from 1915 onwards.
The origin of sense 2 is uncertain. It may have arisen from subsequent use of the cartoon character, depicted in police uniform, on posters in a Metropolitan Police recruitment campaign of 1917, and later during the Second World War (1939-45) giving advice on wartime security. Among other explanations that have been suggested are that it is from the association of police officers prior to the Second World War with â€˜Old Billâ€™ moustaches; from the â€˜billâ€™ (BILL n.1 2b, also BILLY n.2 1b) used as a weapon by 18th-cent. constables; or from the registration letters BYL originally used on cars belonging to the Flying Squad.]

science teacher

Constable on Patrol or COP was a term used.