La police, le droit pénal et 'le crime' dans la première moitié du XIXe siècle : l'exemple de la ville de Québec

The author examines the emergence of new police forces in Lower Canada in the context of the reform of criminal law and the administration of justice. He argues that by targeting public order, utilitarianism and legal positivism provided justifications for the establishment of new police forces. At the same time, the notion of crime began to signify a social problem. The author concludes that the new police forces were not much different from the old ones. However, the notion of crime was now used either to criticize or to legitimize the police force, and was used by the police to further its interests as a bureaucratic organisation.

Revue juridique Thémis

Vol. 34

no. 2

409-435

2000

fr