Constable

Policing in Victorian England: Essex County Constabulary. Manuscript volume containing 332 General Orders by reforming Chief Constable Major W. H. Poyntz including one relating to the murder of Inspector Thomas Simmonds.

réf. 26500 — Rochford Essex Police Constabulary. Entries dated from the Chief Constable's Office Chelmsford. 6 December 1881 to 30 October 1885. 179pp. foolscap 8vo and contains 332 general orders by 'W. H. Poyntz Major and Chief Constable'. The volume is entirely in manuscript but is not in Poyntz's handwriting. It comprises 168 paginated pages followed by an eleven-page index giving a one-line summary of the 'Purport' of each order. The volume is a ruled notebook in original quarter binding of black cloth spine and marbled boards with the words 'GENERAL ORDERS' printed on a label on the cover with 'Rochford' written in manuscript beneath. Complete and entirely legible on aged and worn paper with a few loose leaves and shaken in heavily worn binding. A detailed and informative volume casting a fascinating light on Victorian provincial policing he entries reflecting the exacting standards of the chief constable. Subjects include procedure punishments pay registrations and promotions leave uniform 'Belts to be worn with Tunics and Great Coats' 'Winter and Summer Gloves' 'Parade in Uniform Boots' 'the length of the Constables hair' drinking on duty 'Gambling and raffling in Public and Beer Houses' transcriptions of letters from the Home Office the giving of testimony 'disused Mine Shafts' 'Boiler explosions'. The most significant entry relates to the murder of Inspector Thomas Simmonds: 'General Order 284 28th. January 1885 The Chief Constable has much gratification in promoting P.C. 107 Alfred Marden to a 1st. Class and at the same time a “Merit” Class Constable for gallant and meritorious Conduct in having on the 20th. instant at Hornchurch within the Liberty of Havering atte Bower after his Superior Officer Inspector Simmons had been struck down by a shot from a revolver fired by one of three armed Burglars whom they were about to search Continued the pursuit of two of these men by himself notwithstanding that while so doing two shots were discharged at him The Conduct of this young Office reflects high credit on himself and through him on the Essex Constabulary'. General Order 314 18 July 1885 reads: 'The Chief Constable directs that Superintendents and Officers in charge of Petty Sessions are to be very particular watching the manner that Constables give evidence when in the Witness Box. Nothing looks worse than its being given in an indistinct and hesitating manner and where such is apparent instruction and practice should be afforded the officer. A Constable must stand straight up at “attention” and not “fiddle about” with his hands in a nervous sort of manner. As putting on the right hand glove after taking the oath seems rather to unsettle some officers and as difficulty seems frequently to arise in replacing it that part of General Order No. 166 dated 15th October 1883 relating thereto is hereby Cancelled'. An example of 'Punishments' is issued 'for the information of Divisions' as General Order 291 23 February 1885: 'P.C. 92. G. Hurrell 1st. Class is – for having been found partially undressed and asleep in a hut while on duty at 2 A.M. on the 10th. instant and for making a false preort against his Inspector – dismissed from the Force P.C. 175 N. Paye 1st. Class 128 A. Whalley 2nd. Class and 138 A. Sweeting 3rd. Class are – for not using proper diligence to return to their Station at Greys when sent to London on duty thereby missing the train and remaining away all night – each fined half a days pay viz: Paye 1s11d Whalley 1s/8d and Sweeting 1s/7d This not being the first Case of the kind that has occurred the Chief Constable wishes it to be clearly understood that any similar neglect of duty will be severely dealt with.' Born in Dublin Poyntz joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1853 and reached the rank of Major serving in Hong Kong China Japan and Woolwich. Chief Constable of Nottingham 1872-1881; and Chief Constable of Essex 1881-1887. For information on his career at Essex see Chapter 5 'Major Poyntz makes Changes 1881-87' of Maureen Scollan's 'Sworn to Serve: Police in Essex 1840-1990' 1993 according to which he put 'new ideas in action' and faced ' public order problems involving Salvation Army and Guy Fawkes festivities'. Under Poyntz 'officers of all ranks were reminded to call on important members of the community when they changed station' while Poyntz himself 'would often appear unannounced when cases were being heard by local justices and sometimes commented unfavourably on the way his officers gave their evidence' see G.O. 314 above. 'Major Poyntz was constantly reminding the superintendents of their responsibilities and their need to check everything from the renewal of pedlars' certificates to the health of their men. They were even ordered to inspect the drains'. [ Rochford, Essex Police Constabulary. ] Entries dated from the Chief Constable's Office, Chelmsford. 6 December 1881 to 30 Octo hardcover