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The Journal of the New Cambridge Police 1837-8

| Introduction | Policing Cambridge in the1830s | The Cambridge Station House | Transcripts | Analysis | Journal Content | Borough Police Regs | Watch Committee Report 1836 | Cast List |

APPENDIX A, Police Regulations made by the Watch Committee in 1836

GBR/0265/UA/CUR 37.5 ITEM 10. (Hand-written)

Borough of Cambridge Police Regulations 1836

The conditions upon which each man is to be admitted into the Police Force are stated in order that no complaint may be hereafter made upon there being enforced. The Watch Committee desire it to be understood at the same time that they reserve to themselves the power to alter or annul any of these conditions and also to make such new rules as may be found expedient.

1. Each man shall devote his whole time to the Police Service

2. He shall promptly obey all lawful orders which he may receive from the person placed in authority over him.

3. He shall conform himself to all the Regulations which may be made from time to time by the Watch Committee.

4. He shall not on any occasion or under any pretence whatever, take money from any person without the express consent of the Watch Committee

5. He shall at all times appear in his Police Dress.

6. He shall receive his weekly pay on such day as shall be appointed.

7. His pay as a Police Officer is 16/- a week, and in addition the following articles of clothing shall be found him, viz., one greatcoat, one badge to ditto, one coat, one pair of trousers, one hat, one cover to ditto, one stock, one embroidery to collar, besides the necessary accoutrements of baton, rattle, lantern, etc.

8. He shall be supplied with an account book which he is to be prepared to produce at all times when required.

9. He shall not quit the police force without a months previous notice; in case he shall quit without such notice all pay than due shall be forfeited.

10. If he be dismissed for misconduct, the whole of his pay then due shall be forfeited.

11. Every man dismissed from the Police Force, or who shall resign his situation, shall before he quit the service deliver up every article of dress and appointments which may have been supplied to him. If any such articles shall have been in the opinion of the Watch Committee improperly used or damaged a deduction from any pay due to the party shall be made, sufficient to make good the damage or supply a new article.

12. Every police officer is liable to immediate dismissal for unfitness, negligence, a misconduct, independently to any other punishment to which he may by law be subject. The Watch Committee may also if they shall think fit, dismiss him without assigning any reason.

13. He must readily and punctually obey the orders of his superiors. As they appear to his either unlawful or improper he may complain to the Watch Committee who will pay due attention to him; but any refusal or negligence to perform the commands of his superiors will not be suffered.

14. When he has to go on duty he must be at the appointed place precisely at the prescribed hour. He will be held responsible for the security of life and property within his beat and for the preservation of peace and general good order during the time he is on duty.

15. He should clearly understand what powers are given to him by law for the efficient execution of his duties. In this purpose he is recommended to read carefully the instructions which will be given him respecting the general duties of a Constable.

16. It is indispensable necessary that he should make himself perfectly acquainted with all the parts of the town - with the streets, thoroughfares, courts and houses.

17. He is expected to obtain such a knowledge of the inhabitants of each house as will enable him to recognise their persons. He will thus prevent mistakes and enable himself to render assistance to the inhabitants when required.

18. He should be able to see every part of his beat at least once in half an hour; so that any person requesting assistance may by remaining in the same spot for that length of time be able to meet a police officer.

19. He is not to call the hour and if at any time he require immediate assistance and cannot in any other way, he must spring his rattle but this must be done as seldom as possible. He will be required to report to the Superintendent every occasion for using his rattle.

20 When he takes anyone into his custody he will immediately repair to the Station and he will return again to his duty as soon as possible.

21. When he takes property from anyone under the circumstances hereinafter mentioned he should not suffer it to be out of his sight until he delivers it to the Superintendent or Inspector at the station.

22. He is not to quit his beat during his time of duty unless under the circumstances already mentioned or others which may make it necessary; he shall not enter any house except in the execution of his duty; he will pay particular attention to all public houses reporting the hours at which each is closed and whether they appear to be kept according to good order.

23. On no pretence shall he enter any public house except in the immediate execution of his duties; such a breach of positive order will not be excused.

24. If during the time of his duty he observe in the street anything likely to produce danger, a public inconvenience or anything which seems to him irregular or offensive, he must report it to the Superintendent. Upon any breach of the Peace, disturbance or other offence short of felony being committed by any undergraduate of the University he will take the party to his college or lodgings, and will there release him on the porter of the college, a keeper of the lodging house giving to him the name of the offender. If the party offending refuse to give the name of his college, or to state where he lodges he must be taken to the police station. He may release such person on the application of a Proctor of the University.

25. He will be civil and attentive to all persons; insolence or incivility will not be forgiven.

26. When on duty he must not enter into conversation with anyone except on matters relating to his duty.

27. He must be particularly cautious not to interfere idly or unnecessarily. When required to act he must do so with decision and boldness; on all occasions he may expect to receive the fullest support in the proper exercise of his authority.

28. He must remember there is no qualification more necessary to a police officer than a perfect command of temper, never suffering himself to be moved by any language or threats that may be used.

29. For his exertions upon any extraordinary occasion the Watch Committee may recommend him for a reward, but upon no pretence shall he receive a gratuity from any person for anything relating to his duty; this will always be visited with immediate dismissal.

BOROUGH OF CAMBRIDGE REGULATIONS FOR SERGEANTS 1836

GBR/0265/UA/CUR 37.5 ITEM 11

1. He will reside near the Station House. He is to obey all orders given to him by the Superintendent.

2. Each Sergeant has under him 6 men and he will be held responsible for their general conduct and good order. He is expected to make himself thoroughly acquainted with the character of each individual.

3. He will keep a journal according to a prescribed form of any misconduct of the men under him. The book shall be laid before the Superintendent at stated periods. The Sergeants will feel the importance of entering into this book fully and fairly every circumstance which may enable the Watch Committee to form a just opinion of each individual's character; in no case will any neglect or misstatement by the Sergeant in such particulars be passed over.

4. The Sergeant will form his party into ranks and inspect them, taking care that every man is sober and correctly dressed and will repair with the Police Constables to the place appointed for their duty.

5. He will give all assistance in his power to persons applying to him; he will learn from his general duties as a Constable in what way he is to interfere in arresting people, entering houses, or taking property from suspected persons.

6. While he is exact in the performance of his duty he will at the same time be civil and attentive to every person and render every information and assistance in his power when required.

7. In case the Sergeant be absent from illness or any other cause his place is to be supplied by one of the men of his of party who shall be named generally for that purpose.

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