PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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DEVONPORT BOROUGH POLICE FORCE Devonport Borough Police was formed in 1838, by powers granted in the Municipal Corporations Act of 1835. In 1867 the Inspector of Constabularies, Captain Edward Willis, reported that 'Devonport possesses a constabulary of 46 persons, 51 acres to each constable. The force is well clothed and equipped and is efficient'. Whistles became standard issue from September 1881 although Plymouth had them in 1880 and the Devon force, covering Stonehouse, were not issued with them until 1892. During the year 1882 Superintendent John Lynn had a force of three inspectors, five sergeants, two detectives and forty constables for a Borough population of 48,939 people. One of the highest crimes in the Town were against the Elementary Education Acts, which were presumably not sending their children to school or allowing them to be absent without good reason. There were 62 convictions. There were 21 convictions for common assaults and 92 for drunkenness or being drunk and disorderly. 18 of those convicted were whipped. The longest sentance was one case of imprisonment for between 3 and 6 months. Of those taken to Court, 490 were males and 160 were females. The Superintendent of the Borough Police in 1890 was Mr Samuel Evans. He had been an inspector back in the 1870s when Mr John Matters was a sergeant. Mr Matters served as an inspector in the early 1890s and then got the top job as Head or Chief Constable in 1893. He retired at the end of March 1908, having served in the police for 46 years. He was succeeded by Mr J H Watson, from Congleton, in Cheshire. At the end of 1908 the strength of the Devonport Borough force was recorded as a Chief Constable, a Chief Inspector, five Inspectors, nine Sergeants and 71 Constables. Devonport had a mounted section; this was disbanded by resolution of the Borough Council on April 20th 1911. The last meeting of the Devonport Watch Committee took place on October 15th 1914, prior to the amalgamation of the Three Towns on November 9th. The last surviving member of the Devonport Borough force, Mr Frederick John Boundy, died in 1977. GO TO PAGE 4 - Devon County Police Force: East Stonehouse
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