Birmingham City Police
Birmingham City Police | |
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England & Wales | |
General nature | |
Operational structure | |
Parent agency | Home Office |
Birmingham City Police was the police service responsible for general policing in the city of Birmingham from 1839 to 1974. The force was established by a special Act of Parliament in 1839, and was amalgamated as of 1 April 1974 with the West Midlands Constabulary and parts of other forces to form the West Midlands Police by the Local Government Act 1972.
History
Early history
As early as 1786, watchmen were paid to patrol the streets at night, although this seems to have lapsed on occasion.[1] Special constables were sworn in when required.[1]
In 1800, James Bisset wrote:[2]
In 1789, the Author had the honor, in conjunction with George Simcox, Esq. (now one of our worthy Magistrates), and several Gentlemen in the neighbourhood of St. Paul's, of forming the first Committee, and establishing a Nightly Patrole in that district, for preserving the peace, and securing the property of the inhabitants. The laws and regulations were approved of and soon after adopted throughout the town, which was afterwards divided into 13 districts, each governed by a Committee of their own. The utility and advantages resulting from these Institutions, and the good order and regularity which has since prevailed, in such districts where the Patrole is continued, has fully evinced their beneficial effects; and as one of the Committee always attends the Patrole, in their nocturnal perambulation's, every Member of the Society cheerfully obeys the summons of the Night Constable, whenever it comes to his turn.
In 1812, Joseph Chirm was the "Head Borough Constable".[3]
Birmingham Town Police
Birmingham Police Act 1839 | |
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Act of Parliament | |
Dates | |
Royal assent | 26 August 1839 |
Other legislation | |
Repealed by | Statute Law Revision Act 1874 (No. 2) |
Status: Repealed |
Following
Birmingham City Police
When Birmingham became a city in 1889 the town police became the Birmingham City Police.
World War I
Five hundred and seventy one officers from Birmingham City Police served in the military during World War I, of whom 50 were killed. All 571 are named on a memorial which is located in Lloyd House, the headquarters of the BCP's successor, the West Midlands Police, and on an accompanying website.[6]
Band
The Birmingham City Police Band was, at one period, conducted by
The City of Birmingham Orchestra held its first-ever rehearsal at 9.30am on 4 September 1920, in the band room at the Birmingham City Police's Steelhouse Lane station.[8]
Chief Constables
Chief Constables of Birmingham City Police (some under other titles) included:[9]
- 1839Captain Francis Burgess (as "Police Commissioner") – 1842 :
- 1842Richard Stephens (as "Superintendent") – 1860 :
- 1860George Glossop – 1876 :
- 1876Major Edwin Bond – 1881 :
- 1882Joseph Farndale – 1899 :
- 1899Sir Charles Haughton Rafter KBE KPM – 1935 :
- 1935Cecil Charles Hudson MoriartyCBE CStJ – 1941 :
- 1941Sir William Johnson – 1945 :
- 1945Sir Edward Dodd – 1963 :
- 1963Sir William Derrick Capper – 1974 :
References
- ^ Wikidata Q66438509
- Wikidata Q105672953
- Wikidata Q97932637
- ^ a b c Gill, Conrad (1952). History of Birmingham Volume I. Birmingham City Council, Geoffrey Cumberledge, Oxford University Press.
- ^ "History of the Force". West Midlands Police. Retrieved 22 April 2014.
- ^ "Police Memorial". West Midlands Police Military History Society. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
- ^ "City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra". Sinfini Music. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- ^ The Birmingham Post. p. 4.
- ^ "Birmingham City Police 1839 - 1974". West Midlands Police Museum. Retrieved 10 February 2014.
Further reading
- Weaver, Michael (1989). Crime, Chartism, Community and the New Police: The Birmingham Police Act, 1839-1842 (PhD). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
- Michael Weaver (1994). "The New Science of Policing: Crime and the Birmingham Police Force, 1839-1842". Wikidata Q106310987.
External links
- Birmingham Police Bill 1839 on Hansard
- Birmingham Police parade, circa 1914-1918 (Pathé newsreel)
- The Man on the Beat 1945 British Council film about UK policing, made in central Birmingham