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Wiltshire Constabulary History - "The First and the Best"

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1839

Wiltshire Constabulary is proud to be the oldest of the rural constabularies, having been formed shortly after the passage of the County Police Act in 1839.

By the Spring of 1839 the Royal Commission had reported and the views from a number of Quarter Sessions had been examined.

On 11th April 1839, Wiltshire Magistrates in Quarter Sessions at Salisbury considered several letters on the subject, one of which was from the Home Department.

The letter related that the general consensus of Quarter Sessions from around the country was: 'that a body of Constables appointed by the Magistrates, paid out of the County rate, and disposable at any point of the Shire, where their service might be required, would be desirable, as providing in the most efficient manner for the prevention as well as detection of offences; for the security of person and property; and the constant preservation of the public peace.' The Government wanted to know the views of the Wiltshire Court of Quarter Sessions.

The desirability of such a force seemed hardly in doubt, and it was the problem of financing and appointing the Constables which aroused most interest.

Click for larger version
Captain Samuel Meredith RN
Captain Samuel Meredith RN,
the first Chief Constable of Wiltshire

Eventually a resolution in support of establishing a Constabulary was passed.

The resolution was sent back to the Home Department and, within a few months the County Police Act, 1839 had finished its passage through the Houses of Parliament.

On 11th September, 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.

Public debate intensified as the Quarter Sessions approached. The maximum establishment of one Constable to every thousand persons would double the County Rate, said opponents. But Magistrates from the cloth producing towns, who had suffered from Chartist disorders, declared that they would form their own police forces and 'go it alone' if a force was not set up.

At Marlborough, a considerable debate was held as to the desirability of adopting the Act. But Lord Radnor believed that the Quarter Sessions were not competent to discuss the financial details and staffing requirements that day. At the end of the debate, the Court agreed to appoint a Sub Committee of twelve to discuss the key issues. These were: the efficiency of the present system; the staffing requirement and rates of pay needed for any new force; and the necessary qualifications for employment.

The Court also decided to adjourn the decision on the desirability of adopting the Act until the Committee had reported back the following month - on Wednesday 13th November.

At loam on 13th November, forty four Magistrates, Peers and five local MPs converged on Devizes to hear Lord Radnor read the Sub Committee's report.

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 moved.

These were both roundly defeated, and the Committee's motion was then carried almost unanimously. Following a further discussion, the Court approved a motion 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 (eighty-seven and a half pence). 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 II am.

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The qualifications were:

  1. His Age must not exceed forty-five

  2. He must be certified by a Medical Practitioner to be in good health and of sound constitution, and fitted to perform the duties of the office

  3. He must not have been a Bankrupt, nor have taken the benefit of the Insolvent Act

  4. He must be recommended to the Secretary of State by the Magistrates, in whom the appointment is vested, as a person of general good character and conduct. If he has been previously employed in any branch of the public service, civil or military, he must produce testimonials from the proper authorities in such service as to general conduct whilst so employed.'

Thirteen candidates presented themselves at The Bear that Wednesday morning. They were each interviewed - but two were found to be over the age limit and a further six withdrew after the interview. Four were shortlisted for consideration by the Quarter Sessions.

The four were all military officers - either Army or Navy. They were: Captain Calder, Captain Edwards, Lieutenant Hill and Commander Meredith. The candidates were discussed at length by the Quarter Sessions in Devizes the following day - Thursday 28th November 1839.

One Magistrate, Mr. Neeld, objected to the preparation of a shortlist by the Committee, and argued that all of the Magistrates, the full Quarter Sessions, should discuss the merits of the thirteen individuals.

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Lord Radnor's clear favourite for the post was Captain Hay, who had not even been short listed. The Captain was two days over the age limit - but Lord Radnor had gone to the length of writing to the Marquis of Normanby, one of Her Majesty's principal Secretaries of State, who had declared that his age would not prohibit Captain Hay's appointment.

In a last ditch effort to get his man onto the shortlist Lord Radnor moved that there were 'special reasons in this county for not adhering to the rule touching the age of the candidate.' His motion was defeated by 39 votes to 9 - a fairly crushing majority.

After a short debate the Quarter Sessions voted to appoint Commander Samuel Meredith as Chief Constable - subject to the approval of the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

A letter was dispatched for London that night, and by less than a week, Wiltshire had beaten Gloucestershire to become the first county to appoint a Chief Constable.

Gloucestershire appointed theirs on 1st December, closely followed by Worcestershire on 2nd December and Durham on the 10th.

Approval for Meredith's appointment came in a letter from the Marquis of Normanby on 5th December. The letter was short and to the point: `I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter submitting for approval the appointment of Samuel Meredith, Commander in Her Majesty's Navy, to be Chief Constable of the County of Wiltshire and I signify to you my approval thereof'.

On retirement from the Royal Navy, Meredith was promoted to the rank of Captain, the title by which he has since been known.

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