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The Police Museum holds microfilm copies of the Royal Irish Constabulary service records 1822-1922, the originals of which are held at the Public Record Office at Kew in London . (www.psni.police.uk....mation.htm)
Throughout the 19th century the constabulary continued to develop as a police force. The evolution of the force was characterised by improvements in rank structure, training, and the rules and regulations governing the duties, conduct and discipline expected of the men . One of the most significant developments in the history of the constabulary during the 19th century was its redesignation as the Royal Irish Constabulary, making it the first 'Royal' police force in the British Empire. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The R.I.C. Depot at Phoenix Park in Dublin had a collection of material relating to various criminal cases, which were used as teaching aids for police recruits in training. The collection was termed 'The Museum of Crime'. All the maps and models in the museum were prepared as evidence to assist in the court hearing. (www.psni.police.uk....self-2.htm)
In the post war years the R.U.C continued to develop as a police force. In 1950 a Reserve Force of around 100 men was formed on the same lines as the earlier R.I.C. Reserve. (This eventually developed into the Mobile Support Units now attached to police divisions.) A pay rise in 1954 of £45 brought a Senior Constable's salary up to £550 per year. In 1958 there was a change in uniform, with the traditional high-necked collar being replaced by an open necked tunic with collar and tie. Unfortunately moves towards better working conditions were temporarily halted by a brief I.R.A. campaign between 1956 and 1962. This so called 'short campaign' reached its peak in 1957-9 and cost a total of nineteen lives, including seven police officers. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
It was against this lawless and uncertain background that the new Government of Northern Ireland assumed responsibility for law and order . Under Section 60 of the Government of Ireland Act the R.I.C. in the six counties making up Northern Ireland were placed under its authority. On the 31st January Dawson Bates, the first Minister of Home Affairs, appointed a committee of inquiry on police organization in Northern Ireland. They were asked to advise on any alterations in the existing police necessary for the formation of a new force (i.e. recruitment and conditions of service, its composition, strength and cost). (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
An interim report was published on the 28th March 1922, the first official report of the new Parliament, and it was subsequently accepted by the Northern Ireland Government. On the 29th April 1922 King George V granted that the force could be called the Royal Ulster Constabulary. In May the Parliament of Northern Ireland passed the 1922 Constabulary Act and the R.U.C. officially came into existence on 1st June. The Headquarters of the force was established at Atlantic Buildings, Waring Street, in the centre of Belfast, and Charles Wickham became the first Inspector General. The uniform and insignia of the R.U.C. remained essentially the same as the R.I.C. From the beginning it had a dual role, unique among United Kingdom police forces, of providing a normal law enforcement police service while protecting Northern Ireland from the terrorist activities of outlawed groups. For personal protection its members were armed (a continual requirement since the formation of the constabulary in 1822) (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The R.U.C. was to be a 3000 strong force for the whole of the province. It had the support of the Ulster Special Constabulary, a volunteer body of part-time auxiliary police who were given uniforms and training. The R.U.C.'s senior officer, the Inspector General , was appointed by the Governor of Northern Ireland and was responsible to the Minister of Home Affairs in the Northern Ireland Government for the maintenance of law and order . (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
Neither the newly established Irish Free State nor the state of Northern Ireland had an auspicious beginning. The polarized political climate in Northern Ireland resulted in violence from both sides of the political and religious divide. The lawlessness that affected Northern Ireland in the period of the early twenties, and the problems it caused for the police , are indicated in a police report drawn up by District Inspector R. R. Spears in February 1923. Referring to the situation in Belfast after July 1921 he states: (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
For twelve months after that, the city was in a state of turmoil. The I.R.A. was responsible for an enormous number of murders, bombings, shootings and incendiary fires. The work of the police against them was, however, greatly hampered by the fact that the rough element on the Protestant side entered thoroughly into the disturbances, met murder with murder and adopted in many respects the tactics of the rebel gunmen . In the endeavour to cope simultaneously with the warring factions the police efforts were practically nullified. They were quite unable to rely on the restraint of one party while they dealt with the other. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The 1920's and '30's were years of economic austerity. Many of Northern Ireland's traditional industries, notably linen and shipbuilding, were in recession. This contributed to the already high level of unemployment. Serious rioting broke out in 1932 in Belfast in protest at the inadequate nature of Poor Law relief. In their protest against governmental parsimony Catholic and Protestant working class areas found common cause, an almost unique situation either before or since. Community relations, particularly in Belfast, were consistently volatile and serious disturbances could easily be triggered off by a variety of symbolic events (for example, the sectarian enthusiasm which marked the celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of George V in May 1935). Seasonal marches could also quickly degenerate into communal rioting. Any such occurrences inevitably involved the deployment of police , and placed great demands on their limited resources. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
In response to the growth of motorized transport the R.U.C. Traffic Branch was formed on the 1st January 1930. In 1936 the police Depot at Enniskillen was formally opened and an £800,000 scheme to create a network of 196 police barracks throughout Ulster by rationalizing or repairing the 224 premises inherited from the R.I.C. was under way. In May 1937 a new white glass lamp with the R.U.C. crest went up for the first time to replace the R.I.C. crest still on many stations. About the same time the Criminal Investigation Department in Belfast was significantly expanded, with a Detective Head Constable being appointed to head the C.I.D. force in each of the five Belfast police districts. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The war , not surprisingly, brought additional responsibilities for the police . The security of the land border with neutral Eire was one important consideration. Allied to this was a greatly increased incidence of smuggling, to the point where police virtually became Revenue Officers. Smugglers dealt both in goods that were in short supply because of rationing and more generally in anything that would return a handsome profit. There were also many war-time regulations to be enforced, including 'black-out' requirements on house and vehicle lights, the protection of Post Office and Bank monies, and restrictions on the movement of vehicles and use of petrol. The R.U.C. was a 'reserved occupation', i.e. the police force was deemed essential to the war effort on the Home Front and its members were forbidden to leave to join the other services. However the extra responsibilities imposed by the war and the constant threat of I.R.A. activities ensured that police men were fully employed. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The 1960's witnessed a number of important developments for the police . In 1962 Headquarters moved to a brand new complex at Knock in Belfast, which provided improved accomodation and facilities for the force . In 1964 plans to rationalize policing in rural areas led to the closure of a number of stations, and the areas concerned were subsequently police d by mobile patrols from neighboring stations. Working conditions for police were also affected in 1967 by the introduction of a forty-two hour week and limited opening of the remaining small rural stations. By this time the police force was able to provide a twenty-four hour mobile service, which represented a major step forward. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
Following an exhaustive inquiry into the disturbances in Northern Ireland carried out by the distinguished English judge Lord Scarman, the then Home Secretary , Jim Callaghan, called in Lord Hunt, leader of the 1953 Everest exhibition, to assess and advise on the policing problem. He was assisted in this task by Sir Robert Mark, who later became commissioner of the London Metropolitan police , and Sir James Robertson, the then Chief Constable of Glasgow. The subsequent report, published on 3rd October 1969, recommended a complete reorganization of the R.U.C. with the aim of both modernizing the force and bringing it into line with the other police forces in the U.K. Most importantly it resulted in the introduction of the British rank and promotion structure, the disbandment of the Special Constabulary, and the creation of a Police Authority representative of the whole community. The R.U.C. Reserve was formed as an auxiliary police force and all military-style duties were handed over to the newly formed Ulster Defence Regiment, which was under military command (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
On the 11th October 1969 Constable Arbuckle was shot on Belfast's Shankill Road during serious rioting in protest at the recommendations of the Hunt report. He became the first police fatality of the current Troubles. In August 1970 two young constables, Donaldson and Millar, died when an abandoned car they were examining near Crossmaglen exploded. They became the first victims of the re-organized 'Provisional' I.R.A. campaign. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The size of the R.U.C. has since increased on several occasions because of the terrorist campaign. There are now 8500 regular police officers supported by about 5000 full-time and part-time reserve officers, making it the second largest force in the United Kingdom next to the Metropolitan Police in London . The independent direction and control of the R.U.C. is vested in the Chief Constable, who is assisted by two Deputy Chief Constables and nine Assistant Chief Constables. For operational purposes Northern Ireland is divided into 12 Divisions and 39 Sub-Divisions. R.U.C. ranks, duties, conditions of service and pay are generally in line with those in Great Britain. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The difficulty and danger of the R.U.C.'s task of serving the community in the face of terrorist activity is reflected in the number of officers who have received awards for gallantry. Awards since 1969 include 16 George Medals (the second highest award for civilian bravery), 103 Queen's Gallantry Medals, 111 Queen's Commendations for Brave Conduct and 69 Queen's Police Medals. In the 25 years between 1969 and 1994 (October) 195 R.U.C. and 101 R.U.C. Reserve members have been killed and over 7000 injured as a result of the security situation in Northern Ireland. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The aim of the police force is to provide a high quality and effective police service for everyone. In modern times this involves dealing with a very wide range of criminal activity. The R.U.C. is assisted in this task by specialist police units concerned with areas such as serious crime, terrorism, anti-racketeering, drugs, stolen cars, traffic offences and domestic violence. Supporting services include photography, mapping, fingerprinting and the dog section. The R.U.C. also employs many civilians in a number of sections and in general administration, leaving police officers free to concentrate on their primary task of tackling crime. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The ongoing reforms and modernization of the R.U.C. are evidence that it is a force sensitive to local needs and willing to change in its continuing efforts to provide the best possible service to the public. More recently the aims, standards and values underpinning the police force in Northern Ireland have been expressed in the R.U.C. Citizens Charter, published 1993. Whilst it is impossible to predict the future, one can certainly hope that the vital role of policing will cease to be a political issue in Northern Ireland and become, more appropriately, one in which the entire community supports the R.U.C. and participates with it in protecting everybody from criminal activity. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
Following the failed Smith O'Brien revolt a period of conspiratorial activity on the part of the Fenian movement which had developed in its aftermath eventually culminated in an organised rebellion in 1867, generally referred to as the Fenian Rising. The Rising itself principally involved a series of co-ordinated attacks on a number of isolated police stations, almost all of which were successfully repelled by the determined resistance of the resident police officers. In recognition of the heroism and dedication to duty shown by the constabulary in successfully quelling the rebellion, Queen Victoria granted the force its 'Royal' prefix and conferred upon it its badge, the harp and crown of The Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick (the badge still worn by the R.U .C.). (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The city of Belfast, however, was periodically convulsed by sectarian rioting. Belfast was a rapidly expanding commercial and manufacturing centre which attracted thousands of people from the Ulster countryside to work in the mills and engineering works. (The population increased from 70,447 in 1841 to 386,947 in 1911.) Consequently the ancient quarrels which characterised rural Ulster were 'transferred by industrial concentration to battles between Orange and Green in the narrow streets of Belfast.' Particularly serious rioting broke out in the years 1857, 1864, 1872 and in 1886 (in response to the 1st Home Rule Bill of the same year). As a result of their inability to contain the disturbances in 1864, a commission of inquiry recommended that the old Belfast Town Police be disbanded. This was subsequently accepted by the government and from 1865 the policing of Belfast was left entirely to the Constabulary of Ireland (which was soon to become the Royal Irish Constabulary). (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
These extensive civil and local government duties as well as routine patrolling in their districts ensured that the police constable was a very familiar part of daily life, someone with whom people would expect to have regular contact. It was the constable's job to acquire a thorough knowledge of his district and good relations with the local community made this easier. Indeed, good community relations, then as now, were essential for effective policing. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The R.I.C. was characterised by a strict code of discipline. There was no official system of duty, rest days or annual leave, and in the interests of political impartiality members were even banned from voting at parliamentary elections. There were strict instructions laid down in police regulations concerning standards of conduct and appearance (for example, at one time police were absolutely prohibited from entering a public house socially). Other regulations were principally designed to maintain the standing of the police within the community. Members were forbidden to marry until they had at least seven years service and any potential bride had to be vetted by the constabulary authorities to ensure her social suitability. It was forbidden for police men and their wives to sell produce, take lodgers or engage in certain forms of trade (for example, wives could be dressmakers but could not employ apprentices). (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
By the early years of the 20th century the R.I.C. had evolved into a thoroughly domesticated civil police force, reflecting in its operations the needs of relatively law-abiding communities. During the 19th century the force had also become increasingly representative in its religious composition. (Until the Anglo-Irish War it was more than 70% Catholic, and thus very close to the recorded Catholic proportion of the population during 1861-1911. From the 1870's most regular policing duties did not call for the carrying of firearms. Indeed familiarity with firearms had to be maintained by a once yearly target practice laid down in the regulations. Between the Land War (1879-82) and 1916 the R.I.C. was not seriously challenged by major unrest or controversy. The Constabulary had settled down to low-key routine policing, with the members of the force enjoying a position of high regard in the local areas in which they served. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The Ulster Special Constabulary was originally a product of the traumatic circumstances surrounding the 'Anglo-Irish War' (1919-21) and partition. It had arisen as a spontaneous reaction by the Protestant community in Ulster to the attacks by the I.R.A. on the R.I.C. Enrolment officially began on the 1st Nov. 1920, with the U.S.C coming under the control of the Northern Ireland Government in 1921-22. The U.S.C. was designed to perform a peace-keeping role within the local communities from which its members were drawn. Its members bore the brunt of security work in the 1920's. The force originally consisted of three classes of constables: Class A were full time men enlisted to serve alongside the R.I.C., but only within the divisional area where they were recruited. Class B were part-timers, organized under their own command structure, which in turn was subject to the police authorities in the area in which they were serving. They performed occasional duty, usually one evening per week (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
The Police Museum was established at Police Headquarters in Belfast in 1983. It was founded in response to a wish expressed both inside and outside the force that the history of the constabulary in Ireland be preserved. It had the support of the then Chief Constable, Sir John Hermon, and the Police Authority for Northern Ireland. An R.U.C. Historical Society was formed, from which a committee was elected to provide guidance and support for the Museum, and in 1986 a civilian curator was appointed. (www.psni.police.uk....self-2.htm)
There had previously been a small collection on display at the Training Depot at Enniskillen and this collection formed the nucleus of the new museum at Headquarters. Records indicate that there was an even earlier collection of material relating to policing based at the Royal Irish Constabulary Depot at Phoenix Park in Dublin . These were mainly exhibits which had previously appeared in law courts, which were retained as teaching aids for police recruits in training. (www.psni.police.uk....self-2.htm)
Police responded to reports of a woman who was refusing to leave a dentist57;s office. The woman became irate and refused to leave after she was informed she would not be able to access her dental records because the dentist was on vacation. The woman kept refusing to leave the office despite police officer57;s requests. The woman was eventually placed under arrest. (blog.brooklinepolice.com....ts_26.html)
Police on patrol witnessed a vehicle covered with snow traveling without its headlights. Upon stopping the vehicle it was discovered that the driver did not have a license to operate. The operator was summonsed to court for Operating without a License, and other traffic offenses. (blog.brooklinepolice.com....ts_26.html)
Life in the constabulary during the 19th century could certainly, on occasions, be difficult. There was periodic agrarian unrest and constant simmering discontent in relation to the land question, particularly in the south and west. Indeed the dominant image of the R.I.C. for many people often stems from its responsibility to give protection to bailiffs executing distress warrants and evicting tenants, an unpleasant duty that was greatly disliked by members of the force (most of whom were themselves from a rural background). Nevertheless, the duties of the average police man were otherwise usually varied and uncontroversial. (www.psni.police.uk....bulary.htm)
Police responded to The Children57;s Place where an employee reported that several women had just left the store with stolen clothing. The employee gave police the description and license plate of suspect57;s vehicle. Police stopped this vehicle after observing it at Beacon and Centre Sts. Officers arrested the subjects after an investigation revealed several stolen items in their possession . (blog.brooklinepolice.com....ts_26.html)
CHICAGO (CBS) 53; An attorney is claiming that six off-duty Chicago Police officers brutally beat four men in a bar a few months ago, leaving them so injured that they are still undergoing medical treatment. (cbs2chicago.com....36027.html)
Brothers Aaron and Barry Gilfand, and their friends Scott Lowrance and Adam Mastrucci were playing pool when half a dozen police officers allegedly attacked them, attorney Sally Saltzberg said. (cbs2chicago.com....36027.html)
The attack allegedly occurred at the Jefferson Tap and Grille, at 325 N. Jefferson St., just before closing at 2 a.m. last December, Saltzberg said. When other bar patrons called 911, uniformed police officers came to the scene, but left after being waved off by the officers who allegedly attacked the patrons, she said. (cbs2chicago.com....36027.html)
Chicago Police News Affairs Director Monique Bond said the incident is under investigation by both police and the state's attorney's office, and had no further comment Saturday. (cbs2chicago.com....36027.html)
"Somebody identifying himself as the owner of the bar came out and said, 'You can't come in here. You can't come in here,'" Saltzberg said. "Those were Chicago Police officers who beat you up. I'll lose my license. This is a cop bar." (cbs2chicago.com....36027.html)
Saltzberg said she and her co-counsel filed a motion in state court within the last week to get a copy of the videotape. She has also filed a motion with a Cook County Court judge in an effort to get the names of the police officers involved. (cbs2chicago.com....36027.html)
Abbate, 38, is a 12-year veteran of the Lincoln Police District on the North Side. He was charged with felony aggravated battery in the beating of Karolina Obrycka, 24, at Jesse's Shortstop Inn Tavern, at 5425 W. Belmont Ave. on Feb. 19. (cbs2chicago.com....36027.html)
The Police Museum was started as a collection of Police memorabilia in the 1960's by officers who felt there was a need to show our history. In 1973, the museum was opened in the attic at Police HQ in Maidstone, by retired inspector John Fail. (www.kent-police-museum.co.uk....ndex.shtml)
The history of police forces in many other locations can be traced through the helmet plates and buttons (2 major collections) which faithfully represented the civic pride of towns, cities and small counties which once had their own police forces following the Metropolitan Police model before amalgamations reduced the number to the current 43 in England and Wales. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
Insight into the working of the early courts are provided by original documents dealing with the appointment and yearly accounts of Thomas Venables, from 1820 1829 the Receiver of the police offices attached to 7 London magistrates courts like Bow Street established by the 1792 Middlesex Justices Act. Each court had three magistrates and six police officers. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The first Metropolitan Police patrols went on to the streets on 29th September 1829 three months after the Metropolitan Police Act after much planning and other work performed by the first joint Commissioners. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The early problems of discipline in the Force were reflected by the punishment book (1847). The police officer allocated Warrant Number 1 was dismissed for drunkenness after only four hours duty. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The wisdom and leadership of the first Commissioners was reflected in the enduring Primary Objects of an Efficient Police emphasising the importance of prevention of crime and preservation of public tranquillity which became a cornerstone of the British policing style. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
Additional police manpower was provided for by the Special Constables Act 1831. Special Constables remain an important part of the Police Service to this day, and were particularly important during the General Strike of 1926 and during World War Two. Many famous people became Special Constables, including Prince Napoleon whose tipstaff is in the museum collection. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
There was a tangible fear of revolution in the nineteenth century. In 1848 150,000 special constables were sworn in, and the greater part of the Metropolitan Police were deployed on bridges over the River Thames to prevent the Chartists from a meeting on Kennington Common reaching Parliament. In the event a petition was delivered by cab. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
Industrial disputes have often surfaced on to the street scenes of London . The police were instrumental in keeping public transport running in the 1926 General Strike. More recently police help was required in relation to disputes with the Fire brigade, Ambulance Service and at Wandsworth prison. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
Large scale deployments of police officers were used in the 1950s and early 1960s in connection with sit down demonstrations in support of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and in 1967 and 1968 to control demonstrators converging upon the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square to protest about US involvement in the Vietnam War. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
Protective shields were first used in Lewisham in 1976, followed by changes in protective helmets and other equipment as riots occurred in Brixton in 1981 and 1985. The 1981 Brixton riots were followed by the Scarman report which had immense importance for police and community relations. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The history of Anarchists is illustrated by various incidents from the man Bourdin who blew himself up with his own bomb at Greenwich in 1894, the Sidney Street siege in 1911 and the Tottenham Outrage , a chase of two anarchists who commandeered a tram, during which incident many shots were exchanged with police . (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The details of life in London during World War Two, which is often studied by schools, are illustrated by the Police Instructions for war time, air raid precautions and equipment, images and accounts of dealing with casualties from bombed buildings. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
In May 1840 Daniel Good committed a murder at Roehampton, and fled to Tonbridge, but not before the case had caused much criticism of the methods of circulation of details of wanted criminals within the Metropolitan Police . (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
On 10th April 1935 the Forensic Science Laboratory was opened at the Police College, Hendon, and subsequently transferred to Lambeth. Microscopic comparison of scratch marks left by tools could prove which implement had been used at the scene of a crime. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The Metropolitan Police licensed and controlled many aspects of London 's street life from taxi cabs to messengers, boot blacks, pedlars and other people who needed to show they were of good character. Police were also involved in the supervision of common lodging houses and other places where vulnerable people could go astray. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The Metropolitan and City Police orphanage was established at Strawberry Hill, and the charitable fund continues to support the children of dead or disabled police officers today. (www.met.police.uk....chives.htm)
The Metropolitan Police Act 1829 defined the original Metropolitan Police District as an area of about seven miles radius from Charing Cross. Within the next year seventeen police divisions were set up and centred on the following areas: (www.met.police.uk....ecords.htm)
The Bow Street Horse Patrol was incorporated into the force in 1836 and operated in the outlying Metropolitan divisions. The second Metropolitan Police Act 1839 converted the River Thames force into the Thames Division, absorbed the Bow Street Foot Patrol and extended the Metropolitan Police District to a fifteen mile radius. (www.met.police.uk....ecords.htm)
The establishment of the Metropolitan Police also had responsibility for the police of the Royal Dockyards and military stations, Portsmouth, Chatham, Devonport, Pembroke and Woolwich from 1860 until 1934 and Rosyth in Scotland from 1914 until 1926; information about dockyard police prior to 1860 might be found in the civil pensions for artificers and labourers (ADM 23). (www.met.police.uk....ecords.htm)
Women police patrols were appointed to the force in February 1919 but they were not sworn in as constables with powers of arrest until April 1923. Unfortunately their records of service do not seem to have survived. (www.met.police.uk....ecords.htm)
Before the Police Pensions Act 1890 pensions were granted on a discretionary basis. The Act provided a legal right to a pension after twenty-five years service, and a modified pension or gratuity if discharged medically unfit. Pensions and gratuities, 1829-1859, are mentioned in the early series of correspondence and papers (MEPO 5/1-90). (www.met.police.uk....ecords.htm)
Thames Division ledgers are held at Wapping Police Station Museum, 98 Wapping High Street, London , EC1. The Metropolitan Police Historical Museum and the Wapping Police Station Museum will try to answer written enquiries. (www.met.police.uk....ecords.htm)
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