In 1865, the Liverpool Improvements Committee, who were at that time responsible for maintaining the parks and gardens in the City, decided that some protection should be given to the citizens of Liverpool whilst visiting the Liverpool parks. Outside in the roads and streets of Liverpool, the general public were protected by members of the Liverpool City Police, who had been established some twenty-nine years earlier following the passing of the Municipal Corporations Act. The parks were regarded as being the private property of the City Council, and were not patrolled as such by the City Police who would only attend to deal with specific incidents which were drawn to their attention.

It is recorded that on lst June 1877, Park Keeper James Dumble arrested a man in Stanley Park for indecent exposure. The man was brought before the County Magistrates the following morning and was sentenced to four months imprisonment for the offence. In the same month, the Curator drew the attention of the Committee to this arrest and expressed the opinion that the Keepers were somewhat "over matched" by the rough class of people frequenting the parks and suggested that an additional Keeper be appointed at the wage of 23/- per week, plus the usual uniform. At this same meeting it was also agreed to appoint Keepers at Wavertree Park, Shiel Park, and the Botanic Gardens. This brought the strength at that time up to one Inspector and eighteen Keepers.

The Liverpool Improvement Act 1882 was passed and Section 73 of this Act gave the City Council power to appoint all Park Keepers as Constables, without having to rely upon the Watch Committee to do this on their behalf. At this time the design of the helmet badge changed slightly to incorporate the words "Park Constable". The title "Park Keeper" was dispensed with upon the passing of the new Act. A year later it is recorded that the Force were provided with handcuffs and staves.

By the 8th June 1891, the pay was 26/- per week with increments to a maximum of 30/-. The strength of the Force had also increased to one Inspector, three Sergeants and sixty Constables

The Liverpool Corporation Act 1921, Section 221, repeated the power given to the City Council in 1882 to appoint Constables for the parks. The 1921 Act also laid down clearly that the City Council shall be responsible for maintaining the City Parks and for protecting the visitors and inhabitants from being molested or accosted in any way.

In 1948, the Force was drastically re-organised and in that year Inspector Charles Dean Gibson was seconded from the Liverpool City Police to undertake the task. One of the first things he did was to change the uniform which he regarded as being old fashioned and extremely outdated. The stand collar tunic was retained, but the brass buttons and collar numerals were changed to chrome. The ball-topped helmet was discarded and was replaced by a "Home Office" pattern with a black rose top. The brass helmet badges were chrome plated and continued to be used on the new helmets.

Inspector Gibson wore the normal senior Police Officers' uniform. However, he followed the Liverpool City tradition of having silver braid on his cap peak instead of the black braid normally associated with Police Inspector rank. His cap badge was a "one off" and was specially made for him by manufacturers in Birmingham. It consisted of a Liver Bird surrounded by a circle on which were struck the words "Liverpool Park Police" in chrome relief on a blue enamel background. The whole was mounted on a chromium plated eight pointed star.

As part of the re-organisation, the whole Force was re-trained. This was carried out in stages and took many months. The instruction was of six weeks duration and covered all aspects of police duty. First aid and life-saving was also included. This latter requirement was called for due to the extensive waterway systems which were an integral part of Liverpool's parkland. Recruits to the Force were required to reach bronze medal standard in life saving during their period of probation.

At this time the establishment of the Force consisted of an Inspector, five Sergeants and seventy Constables. Re-organised and re-trained, they began to make their presence felt in the parks and succeeded in virtually clearing them of crime. Offences ranging from robbery to gross indecency and assault were dealt with. The Officers donning plain clothes when the need arose, in their efforts to arrest those responsible.

In 1963, a cap badge was introduced for Sergeants and Constables. This consisted of a "Liver Bird" surrounded by a garter with the words "Liverpool Parks Police" thereon and the whole being surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves. Prior to this badge being taken into use, Officers on bicycle patrol did wear caps, however the helmet badge was used on the cap.

Gradually, a degree of mechanisation was introduced and this took the form of several Lambretta motor scooters being purchased to enable outlying areas to be reached quickly. This was extended in 1965 when a small fleet of Austin mini-vans were taken into use and, with periodic replacements, these continued to be used as transport until the demise of the Force. Pye personal radio and vehicle mounted sets provided a much needed means of communication between the Force Control Room which was situated at Calderstones Park and the mobile and foot patrols.

Inspector Buchanan had been promoted to Superintendent in 1964 and up until that time had worn the one and only Inspectors cap badge first issued in 1948. It is a tradition in Liverpool that Superintendents' of Police wear embroidered badges of silver wire and cloth. Such a badge was produced for Mr Buchanan and this consisted of the full Arms of the City in silver wire and blue thread, with a scroll underneath upon which was embroidered the name of the Force. The whole was surrounded with a wreath of laurel leaves in silver wire.

From the late 1960s onwards, the Force continued to operate, although a cloud of uncertainty hung over its future. The City Council argued that the cost of providing a specific Police Force for the parks was excessive. This fact coupled with a desire by many "left wing" politicians to move away from traditional policing and to concentrate more upon providing a security related service aimed at protecting 'property' at the expense of the needs of the individual, set the seal and resulted in the ultimate decision being made that the Force had to go.

The final blow came on a fine spring afternoon in March 1972. On the 31st of that month, members of the Liverpool Parks Police paraded for afternoon duty at their respective parks for the last time, At mid-night they ceased to exist and marched out after 107 years of unbroken service.