Royal Parks Constabulary Units
BY GRAHAM MAJOR
Dog Handlers
H Evans and Venture, 1949 (Submitted by Graham Major)
The earliest traced reference to the use of Police Dogs by Royal Park Keepers was in 1938 when an Alsatian by the name of Punch was seen with Sergeant Henry Jones, though it has not been possible to trace which park they worked in and its use may well have been unofficial.
The first found consideration given to using Police Dogs by the Royal Park Keepers was in 1948. In June, Major Hobkirk, the Park Bailiff, introduced them officially. On 3rd March 1949 patrol dogs Merlyn and Maxie made their debut patrols. By May 1949 four boxers were on patrol, two in Regent's Park and the other pair being used in St James's Park, Green Park and Kensington Gardens between 10:00pm and 6:00am. The dogs had been trained by Mr Godfrey Kent, a well respected dog trainer, at a cost of £180. Each dog cost £30 to procure with the annual cost of the four dog section being £360.
One early exploit of Venture was when he found a male beating up a girl in Kensington Gardens. After the man rendered Venture's handler unconscious, Venture pursued him across the park, bringing him to the floor on a number of occasions, such that by the time they reached Kensington High Street the man laid down and surrendered to the dog.
PC 174 Philip Gosling and Ben (Submitted by Graham Major)
PC 174 Philip Gosling and Ben (Submitted by Graham Major)
PC 174 Philip Gosling and Ben (Submitted by Graham Major)
Certainly by the middle of the 1970's a number of German Shepherd dogs were in use with the Royal Parks Constabulary and demonstrations of Police Dog work were not uncommon at park open days.
Royal Parks Constabulary Dog Handlers, late 1950's / early 1960's (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Dog Handlers, late 1950's / early 1960's (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Dog Handlers, late 1950's / early 1960's (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Dog Handler, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
The use of Police dogs had been discontinued by 1980, though, by the summer of 1982, a decision had been reached by the Chief Officer, Mr Gilbert, to reintroduce eight patrolling Police Dogs by the summer of 1983 along with two explosives detection dogs as a means of overcoming the manpower shortage which existed at this time. In time, dogs, like motorcyclists, disappeared from individual parks to be grouped into a specialised Section.
Officers wishing to become dog handlers were required to undertake a two week suitability course at the Metropolitan Police Dog School at Keston Kent. If successful they would be allocated a dog and go on to complete full training.
By 1989, a dog training area existed in Greenwich Park and the following year saw seven patrolling Police Dogs in use with an additional four explosive detection dogs. The Dog Section continued to patrol the parks and were a common sight where large numbers of the public gathered, such as concerts in Hyde Park. In 1991, there were thirteen handlers, each of whom received an annual allowance of £858, on top of their normal salary.
Patrolling Police Dogs were now being trained in-house, though explosive detection dogs continued to be trained at the Metropolitan Police Dog School as they had always been since their introduction. The training area in Greenwich Park was little used by this time.
The search team conducted all the normal duties associated with a search team. Checking for terrorist devices at the scene of events or ceremonies where a threat may exist included checks by the explosive detection dogs and bin/sewer searches. Officers carrying out this work required a good deal of freedom of movement and as the work was often dirty they were seen wearing special clothing suited to their needs. Officers carrying out this work were also known to wear their cap badge on a dark blue beret.
Hyde Park, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Hyde Park, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Hyde Park, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
As a result of an earlier review of the Royal Parks Constabulary, a joint Metropolitan Police and Royal Parks Constabulary unit, the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit (OCU), came into existence on the 1st April 2004, before the Royal Parks Constabulary finally disbanded on the 8th May 2006. Whilst it is known that a number of mounted and motorcycle officers were absorbed into the Metropolitan Police, and that by 15th November 2004 no specialist units remained with the OCU, it is not known what happened to the dog handlers.
Sources
- Daily Herald, 16 October 1948
- Illustrated London News, 12 March 1949
- Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News, 18 May 1949
- Hansard, 20 October 1992
- Metropolitan Police Authority Website Report 4, 12 November 2004
- The Parkcops by John Stewart
Rollerblade Officers
12th April 2000 saw a novel form of policing hit London's Royal Parks in the form of the rollerblade Officer that was designed to make Officers more accessible and speed up response times being able to go places a bike or motorcycle could not reach.
Royal Parks Constabulary Officers Preparing to go on Patrol (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Officers Preparing to go on Patrol (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Officers Preparing to go on Patrol (Submitted by Graham Major)
The team comprised four Officers: Janice Jarvis, Ken Hynd, Angie Greneski and Stacey Loader. Training was provided by Dawn Irwin from the United Kingdom Inline Skating Association who, after a long period of lobbying, had her idea for the team approved in January 2000. The training had an emphasis on how to chase suspects and tackle them whilst moving at speed. It was envisaged that Officers would operate as normal patrols just with the added advantage of skates, targeting areas such as the Albert Memorial which was popular with skaters.
Uniform comprised a white polo shirt, navy sweatshirt, black combat trousers and safety helmet/pads.
Despite promise, the scheme only lasted a short period. One problem that was highlighted was that if an offender ran onto the grass the rollerblading officers could not continue after them without removing their skates.
Mounted Branch
Mounted policing of the Royal Parks can be traced back to the mid-1950s when three Mounted Officers were based in Richmond Park. By the 1960s, horses were also being used in Bushy Park.
In 1978, there were four horses in Richmond Park and one in Greenwich Park but it was hoped to introduce them in Bushy Park and Hampton Court as well.
PC David Wilson and Phildalphia in Richmond Park, 1978 (Submitted by Graham Major)
PC David Wilson and Phildalphia in Richmond Park, 1978 (Submitted by Graham Major)
PC David Wilson and Phildalphia in Richmond Park, 1978 (Submitted by Graham Major)
By 1982 there were only two operational horses - one each in Richmond Park and Greenwich Park - but the role of mounted policing was under review at that time. The Mounted Section comprised four horses based at Richmond Park by 1990.
The period following 1992 saw many changes in the Mounted Branch with stables opening in Bushy Park in late 1992 and, in 1993 and 1994, in Hyde and Regent's Park respectively, to supplement the one already in operation at Richmond.
The strength of the Mounted Branch by this time was sixteen horses and Officers although a cut in the budget for 1996 meant that three horses were lost with the closure of the stables in Regent's Park. Regent's Park was selected for closure due to problems with the accommodation which was converted into garages. Horses frequently had to be moved out to allow work to be undertaken on the cobbles and drains. In addition, horse riding was prohibited in Regent's Park.
Royal Parks Constabulary Mounted Officer, Richmond Park, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Mounted Officer, Richmond Park, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Mounted Officer, Richmond Park, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
In April of 1996 the Mounted Branch took delivery of riot equipment and a small amount of introductory public order training was undertaken at Bushy Park.
Toward the end of 1997 the Royal Parks Constabulary hosted the first part of a two stage visit with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. During his visit Sergeant Darrell Karnes provided part of the mounted escort for the changing of the guard ceremony. The second stage of the visit saw PC Sue Taylor heading to Ottawa for three months to visit the mounties. During her visit she assisted with equine training. This was not the first time the Canadians had been the guests of the Royal Parks Constabulary, a visit having previously taken place in July 1992.
Mounted Officers were a common sight at any event where large numbers of persons gathered and also for patrolling some of the parks. In addition they would be seen at Speaker's Corner and providing escorts at the Changing of the Guard Ceremony.
Training was well structured and based upon the syllabus used by Greater Manchester Police. Novice riders attended a fifteen-week course run by the Royal Parks Constabulary, with some training at the Metropolitan Police centre at Imber Court, East Molesey. A shorter four-week course existed for Officers who could already ride. There was also extensive liason, especially in the field of training, not only with the Metropolitan Police but also the City of London and Thames Valley Police Forces.
Horses were well suited to London's Royal Parks as an Officer seated high on a horse can observe much more than an Officer on foot. Horses could reach many places in the parks inaccessible to vehicles and, at times, could respond to incidents more quickly than Officers in vehicles or on foot. The Mounted Officer was also popular with the public and the horse proved a valuable tool in bringing Officers into contact with the public, thus fostering good relations. Mounted Officers were available twenty-four hours a day, though they normally operated from dawn to dusk, with each horse patrolling for five hours a day. Every effort was made to keep the same horse and Officer together, though with more Officers always being available than horses this was not always possible. Horses used by the Royal Parks Constabulary were brought in at between five and nine years of age on a one month trial. If they were found to be suitable, they were then purchased and training began in earnest. If at any time during training a horse was unable to adapt to its role it would be sold on.
Police work is generally stressful for horses. Extra stress was caused by the heavy traffic and large crowds which existed in the area of London's inner Royal Parks and any horse showing an aptitude for working in these parks would be kept there. Hyde Park imposed an extra strain on horses as no paddocks existed and all off duty time was spent in the stable block.
Royal Parks Constabulary Mounted Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Mounted Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Mounted Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Horse Box, c1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Horse Box, c1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Horse Box, c1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
As a result of an earlier review of the Royal Parks Constabulary, a joint Metropolitan Police and Royal Parks Constabulary unit, the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit, came into existence on the 1st April 2004, before the Royal Parks Constabulary finally disbanded on the 8th May 2006. On the 15th November 2004 nine Officers and five stable hands transferred to the Metropolitan Police Mounted Branch.
Motorcycle Section
It is not known when motorcycles were first used in the Royal Parks but in March 1960 a proposal was put forward to replace the two motorbikes in Richmond Park with a quieter Velocette model. The quieter model was not adopted but instead a 500cc version was acquired as this was felt better suited to the Parks needs. A quiet version was taken into use though for St James's Park and the Birdcage Walk area.
Early years saw exclusively Triumph motorcycles in use, although by 1991 eleven motorbikes were in use, all from the German maker BMW and were their R45 model. All motorcyclists now attended courses at the Department of Transport Driver Training Centre.
The 1995 VE day celebrations in Hyde Park meant there was a need for each foreign representative to have a motorcycle escort and three of the five Parks motorcyclists were permanently assigned to these duties, along with the Metropolitan Police and Officers from county police forces. In order to ensure that all possible eventualities could be dealt with the motorcyclists practised their duties for a week prior to the VE Day celebrations.
By 1999 a four officer Motorcycle Support Unit based at Regent's Park existed dealing with speeding problems and providing escorts at ceremonials. They were a common sight at such places as the Mall using radar guns.
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, late 1970s (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, late 1970s (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, late 1970s (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officers, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officers, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officers, 1996 (Submitted by Graham Major)
As a result of an earlier review of the Royal Parks Constabulary, a joint Metropolitan Police and Royal Parks Constabulary Unit, the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit (OCU), came into existence on the 1st April 2004, before the Royal Parks Constabulary finally disbanded on the 8th May 2006. It is known that a number of motorcycle officers were absorbed into the Metropolitan Police and that by 15th November 2004, no specialist units remained with the OCU.
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Royal Parks Constabulary Motorcycle Officer, c2004 (Submitted by Paul Dew)
Sources
- Metropolitan Police Authority Website Report 4, 12th November 2004
