Wiltshire Constabulary
1839 - 2005Captain Samuel Meredith RN, the first Chief Constable of Wiltshire
There's always been plenty of pride in Britain's police forces, and with every justification. However, there's a special brand of pride throughout the Wiltshire Constabulary and rightly so, because it is the oldest of Britain's rural police forces.
The Wiltshire Constabulary was formed shortly after the passage of the County Police Act in 1839, and the rapid way in which the Force came into being was a lasting credit to the various county officials involved. It led to the formation of Britain's first county police force and instilled a sense of achievement and leadership which lives on today.
On 11th September 1839, Wiltshire Magistrates instructed their Clerk, John Swayne, of Wilton, to give formal notice that the question of adopting the new Act would be discussed at the next Court of Quarter Sessions in Marlborough on 15th October, 1839.
At l0am on 13th November, 44 Magistrates, Peers and five local MPs converged on Devizes to hear Lord Radnor read that the Committee had come to the conclusion that there should not be less than 200 Constables, or one for every 1200 inhabitants, and 4400 acres of land. The total expense would be £11,000 a year.
The Chief Constable, they decided, should be someone with previous naval or military service. Two amendments, one opposing the creation of the force, and the other recommending that 110 men would be sufficient, were defeated.
The Court approved a motion (by 35 to 3) to fix the Chief Constable's salary at £400 a year. Four Superintendents would be paid £100 a year exclusive of clothing but with a horse, and nine Superintendents would be paid £75 a year without a horse. Constables, it was agreed, would be paid 17s. 6d. a week.
The resolutions were then compiled into a report, signed by the Magistrates, and sent to the Home Secretary. The appointment of Chief Constable was advertised in the Wiltshire Gazette on the 21st November 1839. Interviews, before a Committee of Magistrates, would be held at The Bear, Devizes on Wednesday 27th November 1839 at 11am.
