Why did American police officers in the 19th century have more discretion than London police officers?

In the 19th century, American police officers exercised greater discretion than their counterparts in London primarily due to the radical decentralization of police authority in the United States.1

While the London Metropolitan Police were organized under a centralized, quasi-military hierarchy that emphasized impartiality and strict adherence to Peel’s Principles, American policing was fragmented into individual city and ward-level jurisdictions. This decentralized structure meant that American officers were often recruited directly from the neighborhoods they served, fostering close, personalized relationships with local citizens and political leaders.123

Because American police authority was derived from local political power rather than a standardized national or centralized policy, officers relied heavily on their individual abilities to gain cooperation. This personalized style of policing allowed for significant discretion in how officers handled problems on their beats. Conversely, the London "bobby" was expected to operate within a professional framework designed to maintain public order through consistent, preventive patrols and a commitment to policing by consent, which limited the scope for individual officer discretion.124