Northampton’s First Police Force: Misgivings, Municipal Mission and Misdemeanours

30 August 2019 MKHA Webmaster MKHA member events, Speaker meetings 0

In 1835 the Municipal Corporations Act was passed by Parliament which required Royal Boroughs to set up paid police forces.

Roade Local History Society

Wednesday, 25th September 2019 at 7.30 pm
St Mary’s Church Hall, Roade NN7 2PU

Speaker: Alex Wood

For Alex Wood the discovery that his ancestor, William Spencer, was one of Northampton’s first police constables was quite a surprise which led him to turn to the archives to find out more.

In 1835 the worthies of Northampton’s Watch Committee were faced with the task of creating a Police Force. They had to overcome public prejudice, create uniforms, by-laws and a disciplinary system and deal with recruits of very variable quality. How successful were they?

Entrance: Non-members £3. Children under 16 of Non-members 50p.

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