Which was the first real police force established in England?

The first real police force established in England was the Metropolitan Police, formed in 1829 by then-Home Secretary Sir Robert Peel. This organization was significant because it introduced a professional and organized approach to law enforcement, marking a shift away from the previously relied-upon volunteer-based watch systems. The creation of the Metropolitan Police aimed to ensure public order in London and served as a model for police forces that followed, embodying principles such as accountability, a focus on crime prevention, and community cooperation.

The other options represent significant police organizations, but they were established either later or as specific divisions rather than the foundational model of policing. Scotland Yard, for instance, became the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police and is often confused with it; however, it is not a distinct police force in the same sense. The City of London Police serves the financial district of London and was established separately, while West Midlands Police was created much later in 1974 and is a result of regional police force reorganization.