After the Bull Ring riots had been suppressed, the public were bitterly incensed against the London Police, who had been sent down to quell the disorder. The Duke of Wellington, in a speech in Parliament, admitted that grossly unjustifiable brutality had been resorted to. In Birmingham the Londoners were denounced as an "unconstitutional and bloodthirsty Force."

No sooner was quietude restored than the Birmingham people demanded the removal of the visiting Force, and a Police Force of their own. Commissioner Burgess, who had been sent down by Government in charge of the London Police, was instructed to remain for three years to organise the new Birmingham Force and place it upon a sound working footing. His offices were in Union-street, just below the Library, and in October, 1839, the first batch of recruits were sworn in. The Commissioner had a salary of £800 a year, and his deputy, Mr. Shaw, £300. A Constable's pay in Birmingham at that time was 16s. a week.

The new Police Force numbered nearly 400 men, and was divided up into four divisions. Superintendent Stephens, who had formerly been an Inspector at Bristol, took charge of the first division, whose headquarters were at Beardsworth's; Captain Maturin, who had also been out with the Spanish Legion, commanded the 2nd at the Sandpits, the 3rd division had its station at Staniforth-street, under Superintendent Rolfe, and the 4th, under Captain Atkins, was located in Cardigan-street. The Superintendents of divisions received about £150 a year. The men had no uniforms to start with but at length the uniform arrived. The headgear consisted of a canister hat, covered at the top with patent leather, and with a strap and a bit of whalebone down each side. Anything more unsuitable for Police duty could not have been devised, Immediately a Policeman got into a street scrimmage - and there were rows at that time, for the people had by no means forgotten the rough treatment that had been dealt out in the Bull Ring - off would go the Policeman's helmet, and the Officer's defenceless cranium would immediately present a target for brickbats and bludgeons. It was not until Prince Albert suggested the shape of a serviceable helmet, on the principle of the one at present in use, that Policemen were properly protected about the head. Summer uniform included a pair of white trousers which the men supplied from their own wages, buying the material and taking it to a tailor to be made up.

The engagement of Commissioner Burgess was only for three years, and at the end of that time he returned to London. The Corporation then advertised for a Chief Superintendent, and the choice of the Watch Committee lay between Superintendent Stephens, Captain Atkins; and Captain Maturin. Captain Atkins ran Mr. Stephens a very close race, but the latter was finally, chosen. By this time the ratepayers had commenced to grumble very loudly over the cost of the Police Force. Up to the time of the riots the town had done without a Police Force at all. Four "runners" under the command of Bill Hall had managed to do all the Detective work that was needed in those good old times. A force of nearly 400 men meant a tremendous jump to the other extreme, and the citizens who had to pay the piper begrudged every penny of the extra expenditure. On the departure of the Commissioner the Corporation resolved to retrench in every possible direction. The new Chief Superintendent was offered a salary of no more than £250, and his deputy £150. It soon became necessary to find a new station for the 1st Division. The repository was wanted for another purpose, so a move was made to New-street, where the Police Station stood for some years.