Chief Constable

Identity area

Type of entity

Corporate body

Authorized form of name

Chief Constable

Parallel form(s) of name

    Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules

    • Chief Constable; 1835-20th century

    Other form(s) of name

      Identifiers for corporate bodies

      Description area

      Dates of existence

      1835-20th century

      History

      The first city police force and chief constable were established in 1835. In 1925 there were 107 members of the force.
      Reported to Watch Committee. Full responsibility for policing transferred to Corporation in 1835 from Magistrates and Parish Constables. Instructed Superintedendent and Deputy Chief Constable.

      Places

      Legal status

      Required by Municipal Corporations Act 1835.

      Functions, occupations and activities

      Managed police department. Primary task of police force was initially to prevent, rather than investigate, crime. Patrolled the city and suburbs, responded to calls, directed traffic, issued dog licences, registered aliens, inspected weight and measures and locked the bar walls. From 1875 also manned the fire brigade. Gained responsibility for theatre and cinema licensing. This post was supported by a Superintendent and Deputy Chief Constable.

      By the 1950s the Police department employed both police and civilian staff in four sections: Chief Clerk's, Criminal Investigation, Summons and Warrant, and Charge Room and Communications Control. In the mid twenieth century this post also supervised a separate Local Taxation Department to which were delegated licensing responsibilities (road, driving, hackney carriages, game dealers) and the Fire Brigade.

      Mandates/sources of authority

      Internal structures/genealogy

      General context

      The first city police force and chief constable were established in 1835. In 1925 there were 107 members of the force.

      Relationships area

      Access points area

      Subject access points

      Place access points

      Occupations

      Control area

      Authority record identifier

      GB0192-104

      Institution identifier

      GB0192

      Rules and/or conventions used

      International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa

      Status

      Level of detail

      Dates of creation, revision and deletion

      Language(s)

        Script(s)

          Sources

          JBM How York Governs Itself, BC 8.1, CYC 1956-1958 Review of Administration

          Maintenance notes