

BY COLIN AULT AND GRAHAM MAJOR
In 1991 the Birmingham Parks Force was again renamed, this time from Birmingham Parks Patrol to "Birmingham Parks Ranger Patrol". The uniform was given a dramatic 'makeover' with the introduction of a green coloured ensemble of trousers, 'Nato' sweater, waterproof anorak and uniform style cap, again in green.
In 2003 there were seven mobile Patrol Officers under the command of a Senior Sergeant, Syd Yale. The Service patrolled over two hundred sites.
The cap badge remained unchanged from that used by the Birmingham Parks Patrol. Two differing styles of cloth patch were worn on sweaters and outer jackets.
Second issue patch worn on sweaters and outer jackets (Submitted by Graham Major)

Second issue patch worn on sweaters and outer jackets (Submitted by Graham Major)
Second issue patch worn on sweaters and outer jackets (Submitted by Graham Major)

By 2010 the Inspectorate ranks had been disestablished and the overall strength had been reduced dramatically to one Manager (not uniformed), three Civilian Control Room Operators, two Sergeants and six Rangers, two of whom were dog handlers. Several of the longer serving staff still retained the powers of a Park Constable. This is despite the fact that the enabling Act was replaced in 1986. The City Council could still nominate their staff for appointment as Constables under the Public Health (Amendment) Act 1907. This would give limited police powers within the parks. However, it would appear that they have not done so for a number of years.
At this time short wheel based vans with a white livery were in use. In early 2011 the control room was decommissioned and mobile phones were introduced to maintain contact.

Ranger Patrol Vehicle (Submitted by Graham Major)
Ranger Patrol Vehicle (Submitted by Graham Major)

Ranger Patrol Vehicle (Submitted by Graham Major)
Ranger Patrol Citroen, Sutton Park, 2013 (Submitted by Graham Major)

Ranger Patrol Citroen, Sutton Park, 2013 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Ranger Patrol Citroen, Sutton Park, 2013 (Submitted by Graham Major)

In 2018 the role of the service was to:
- Check security of buildings administered by the service
- Report accidents, incidents and security issues
- Maintain liaison with the police
- Liaise with council and police in respect of bye-law or criminal offences
- Report anti-social behaviour
- Provide an out-of-hours service for alarm activations and emergencies occurring on parks department property
Working hours were 4:00pm to 11:00pm, which included two weekends out of three, and to be part of an emergency call out service.
Currently, the establishment is two Ranger Patrol Sergeant's whose salary ranges from £20,903 to £27,041 a year and four Ranger Patrol Officers whose salary begins at £18,562 rising to £20,493 per year. None of the patrol officers are attested. The uniform follows that of other Birmingham City Council employees being blue in colour, with the BCC logo on the left upper of shirts, jumpers, coats and blue trousers are worn. Outer wet weather garments are orange with fluorescent striping. Each Officer is allocated a vehicle being a small white van are sourced from differing manufacturers.