British Police History

Canterbury City Police

1836 - 1943

Mr Robert Peacock, Chief Constable of Canterbury

Mr Robert Peacock, Chief Constable of Canterbury, was born in 1859. At the age of 19 years he joined the Bradford Borough Police Force, under the command of the late Chief Constable, Mr J. Withers.

In recognition of the valuable services he rendered he was promoted to the rank of Acting-Sergeant, he being then barely 22 years of age, and the youngest man who had obtained that rank in Bradford, He was sent to the Manningham Section, where he showed that he was in every way qualified for the position. He, however, severed his connection with the Bradford Police in June, 1882, having received a better appointment in the Rotherham and Ripon Police Forces.

On the formation of the Bacup Borough Police Force Mr Peacock was appointed Inspector. The Chief Constable had a very severe illness, which prevented him attending to his duties for some time. The control of the Force devolved on Mr Peacock, who carried out the duties most successfully, and it was not long before he reaped his reward, for, on the 6th June, 1888, he received the appointment of Chief Constable of Canterbury, out of a large number of candidates. Mr Peacock at once took up the reorganisation of the Force with determination, and in a. short time the Canterbury Force was looked upon as one of the most efficient in the county of Kent.

He took an active interest in the welfare of the men under his command, and in addition to securing them a substantial increase in their pay, he was the means of getting them a monthly leave and seven days annually, and also of introducing a class of merit, carrying with it a decoration and increase in wages. Mr Robert Peacock was the Chief Constable of Canterbury from 1888 to 1892, Oldham from 1892 to 1898 and Manchester from 1898 to 1926.

Robert Cyril Morton Jenkins, who originally joined the Canterbury City Police in 1919. In January 1937 he was appointed Chief Constable of Penzance Borough Police. In 1941 he transferred to the Folkestone Borough Police as Chief Constable. In 1943 Folkestone became part of Kent County Constabulary and Jenkins was given the rank of Assistant Chief Constable, later to become Deputy Chief Constable of Kent

Sources

Submitted by John Capp

Canterbury City Police, c1937 (Submitted by Ray Ricketts)

Canterbury City Police Old Police Station on Pound Lane (Submitted by John Endicott)

The Chief Constable of Canterbury City Police - Mr Leaf Temple Dunk

Mr Leaf Temple Dunk, who has been appointed to succeed Mr Farmery as Chief Constable of Canterbury, joined the Canterbury City Police Force as a Constable in 1887. In 1892 he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, and in 1900 was appointed Inspector on the retirement of Mr Sinclair. Mr Dunk has done good police work in the city, and has been responsible for many smart captures.

Canterbury City Police Merit Badge

Canterbury City Police (Courtesy of Malcolm Wilson)

Closeup of the previous photograph (Courtesy of Malcolm Wilson)

Canterbury City Police awarded the "Merit Badge" for acts of bravery and exemplary service with the Force. The Canterbury City Police group pictured above includes four recipients of the Merit Badge award. A detail of the officers in the first row, on the far left side can be seen below showing the two Sergeants, Inspector and a Constable behind the Inspector wearing their Merit Badges.