|BRITISH POLICE HISTORY

Early History of Kent County Constabulary

BY PAM MILLS

Kent geographically saw small, paid professional uniformed police forces formed under the Lighting and Watching Act 1833, Municipal Corporation Act 1835 and the later Rural Constabulary Act 1839. A consultation following the County and Borough Police Act in 1856 saw many areas in Kent deciding to stay as they were, governed by their own administration. Towns such as Deal, Dover, Faversham, Folkestone, Gravesend, Hythe, Maidstone, Margate, Ramsgate, Romney, Sandwich, Tenterden, Tunbridge Wells (not to be confused with Tonbridge that was often spelt Tunbridge), Canterbury City, and Rochester City remained as independent Police Forces. However, towns with a population of less than 10,000 lost the right to be policed independently and, although some were absorbed over time, with Romney being first, followed sometime later by Deal, Faversham, Hythe, Sandwich and Tenterden in 1889. It was not until 1943 when the remainder amalgamated, creating a "Joint Kent Police Force".

Areas that did not have a police force may have been 'policed' by parish constables. From 1842, the Vestries took more control over smaller towns and the Parish Constable Act 1842 saw men nominated on a yearly basis to perform this role. Although many were deemed ineffective, some did take their role seriously. But, with lack of structure, the Kent County Constabulary Committee was formed, from the Quarter Sessions magistrates, and set up the system of Superintending Constables in 1850 (pre-county police) to oversee the parish constables. This situation created twelve divisions: Ashford, Bearsted, Cranbrook, Dartford, Elham, Faversham, Home, Malling, Rochester, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge, and Wingham. These were aligned with petty sessional areas and each superintending constable, although not uniformed, was paid by county rates to address the effectiveness of the local parish constables.

Chief Constable John Henry Hay Ruxton (Submitted by John Endicott)

Creating the new system of policing in 1857 following the County and Borough Act 1856 took very little time to recruit a Chief. This was, by process, agreed by the General Sessions with applicants whittled down to a choice of two: Captain Ruxton and Captain Winter. Captain John Henry Hay Ruxton JP DL was elected by a margin of just two votes. Vestry minutes, dated 21st May 1857, for Tonbridge, noted the appointment of Captain Ruxton who was to take over charge of policing the town from 1st June 1857. It was on divisions that the superintendents then accordingly met with the magistrates to inform them they were taking over services of the summons and warrants from the parish constables from 1st June.

In total, 222 policemen can be seen listed on the duty sheet on 31st March 1857 at Wrens Cross in Maidstone, a premises that was rented and used as Force Headquarters (FHQ). Maidstone as a county town remained a Borough Force but Wrens Cross shared its premises with the Bearsted Division of the County Police; these premises were later purchased in 1860 for £1,200.

The recruitment process for Sergeants and Constables started after the oath was taken by Ruxton on 7th February 1857. He chose to swear in all the superintending constables that had had charge of the parish constables under the old system. This was an easy transition as they already had local knowledge and liaison with local authorities of their area. Other ranks were recruited by 10th March.

The first Headquarters, Wrens Cross, Maidstone (Courtesy Philippa Hoad)

The first Headquarters, Wrens Cross, Maidstone (Courtesy Philippa Hoad)

The first Headquarters, Wrens Cross, Maidstone (Courtesy Philippa Hoad)

Shako cap

A short course of instruction then began which included military drill, a course of reading, writing and verbal instructions on points connected with duties. A book was issued to each man and included in these Standing Orders, by Captain Ruxton in 1857, was a list of instructions for the appointed police lock-up keeper. Treatment of prisoners was a key area, possibly his previous interaction with transportation of prisoners influenced his orders.

Ruxton, with previous Army experience, buying his Ensign in 1834 with the 4th Kings Own Regt of Footi, then in June 1837ii purchased Lieutenancy, same regimentiii. He accompanied and oversaw convicts ordered for transportation to Australia, later also serving in India. Returning in 1839 the "True Briton" landed in the UK, on board were the Kings Own Regt including Lt JHH Ruxton, with invalids from Madras. He soon left the Army to take up the running of the estate at Broadoak Brenchley as a Gentleman farmer. He was never a Captain in charge of convict ships, a mistake interpreted by some narrators, it is recorded "late senior Lt of Kings Own becomes Captain, Kent Militia Regt of Artillery by order of Lord Lt of the county of Kent"iv. The unit was raised in Kent in May 1853 with six batteries under the title of Kent Militia Artillery, headquarters at Dover. Disembodied after 1856, they met only for annual camp. However, the experience he would have gained within the Army set him in a good position to command the new Kent Constabulary.

Custodian Helmet as issued in 1897

Due to a delay in the initial issue of uniform, the allocation of officers to divisions had been delayed. On 20th May, Ruxton addressed all the recruits on parade at Wrens Cross to thank them for their attention during training and acknowledging the trying times, (possibly with awaiting uniform). The motivational speech then gave way to allocation to divisions.

Annual drill was held at FHQ, as well as annual divisional inspections by Chief Constable Ruxton and the Inspector of Constabularies, taking place to ensure efficiency. On area, the new Constables would be under the guide of an instructing Constable, (although it is not known for how long this period lasted). A man with military experience underpinned his need for discipline, with over a third of the men initially recruited disciplined within the first year, with thirty-one being dismissed.

The uniform, not unlike that of the Metropolitan Police, was short lived as, by 1860, the top hat style changed to the shako style due to the health of many a Constable's neck, (later, in 1897, the recognisable custodian helmet was issued). Along with uniform and boot allowance, a lantern, cutlass, handcuffs, and stave were issued to each man; there is no record of any rattles being initially issued to County men but whistles were issued from 1885.

PC 136, Ben Forster, with the shako style cap (Submitted by John Endicott)

PC 136, Ben Forster, with the shako style cap (Submitted by John Endicott)

PC 136, Ben Forster, with the shako style cap (Submitted by John Endicott)

Early Tonbridge policemen (Courtesy Kent Police Museum)

Early Tonbridge policemen (Courtesy Kent Police Museum)

Early Tonbridge policemen (Courtesy Kent Police Museum)

From 1864, Police Stations were built around the county, moving away from town lock-ups and increasing the professional standing of the role. However, the name lock-up keeper remained and he oversaw the cells and prisoners. Ruxton deemed whitewashing the lock-up regularly with hot lime and after the occupation of a dirty prisoner, with bedding to be aired during the day. Prisoners were to occupy their own cells and never in any circumstances share if other cells were vacant. A move away from the damp conditions that had prevailed the lock-ups.

In 1892, prisoner's rights were noted in General Orders, Ruxton making it clear that the prisoner would be allowed ample and immediate facilities to communicate to his legal advisors and friends. Female prisoners were supervised and searched, generally by the wife of the lock-up keeper, "for their protection and convenience and in order to shield from charges against men." Stated in Standing Orders issued in 1857, "prisoners are to be searched by a female and visited in the presence of one". They would make a note of this, the same system as when a male prisoner would be searched by a man. It was a place for women within the Force, something that later led to the role of a paid matron. This system of treatment of prisoners can be seen to offer the foundations for the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (amended), which incidentally was the first piece of legislation that legally controlled police procedure.v

Captain John Henry Hay Ruxton (1818 - 1897) retired in September 1894, shortly after the death of his wife, serving the Force 37 years. He was the longest serving Chief Constable of Kent and one of the longest serving in the country. 

For further information contact the Kent Police Museum, museum@kent.police.uk, or Pam Mills [MA], pjstmills@aol.com

Much of the early history of Kent County Constabulary can be found at the Kent library and archives

Sources
  1. London Gazette
  2. Edinburgh Gazette
  3. Notes from War Office
  4. London Gazette
  5. Judges' Rules deemed for guidance

Kent Police Museum

If you'd like to know what a Beat Measuring Wheel is, when women first joined the force or how forensic techniques help solve cases - then the new Kent Police Museum has the answers. It was officially launched at Faversham Police Station on 8 October 2021, where Chief Constable Alan Pughsley was joined by Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott, Mayor of Faversham Councillor Alison Reynolds and Members of the National Association of Retired Police Officers.

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