bobbies

Bobbies are police officers in the United Kingdom, a nickname most often associated with the London Metropolitan Police. The term originates from Sir Robert Peel, who established the modern police service in 1829 with the Metropolitan Police Act. Because of Peel's role, officers became colloquially known as "bobbies" after his surname; some sources also mention "Peelers" as an early nickname.

The Metropolitan Police Act created a professional, centralized police force under civilian leadership, a shift from earlier parish constables and night-watchmen. The name "bobby" became entrenched in public language in the 19th and early 20th centuries, and while still understood today, it is considered informal or historical in many contexts. In formal writing or contemporary usage, officers are usually called police officers, constables, or the relevant rank.

In culture, the term appears in literature, film, and news media, often invoking a traditional or nostalgic image of British policing. The term is largely British in usage, though "bobby" is recognized in some Commonwealth countries with longer colonial histories.