Force Orders 1861

X THIS DOCUMENT IS COPYRITE AND REMAINS THE PROPERTY OF THE CHESHIRE CONSTABULARY IT IS INTENDED TO AID THE RESEARCHER AT THE PUBLIC RECORDS OFFICE, CHESTER NO COPIES IN ANY DIGITAL FORMAT WILL BE ALLOWED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION FROM THE CHESHIRE CONSTABULARY OR THE TRUSTEES OF THE MUSEUM OF POLICING IN CHESHIRE CHESHIRE CONSTABULARY GENERAL ORDERS CJP4 VOLUME 1 2nd January 1861 ~ 19th December 1861 General Order Purport Page No. 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Transfers did not take place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 2 1 2 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 Chief Constables Office, Chester 2nd January 1861 Sergeant Burrows, Reserve Division is reduced from 23/- to 22/- per week from the 29th ultimo. Chief Constables Office, Chester 5th January 1861 PC Haslam of Number 4 Division is this date dismissed for drunkenness on the 25th ultimo. Chief Constables Office, Chester 7th January 1861 Sergeants Aston and Gibson will be transferred on the 15th Instant as follows. Sergeant Aston to Budworth Section Number 2 Division. Sergeant Gibson to Astbury Section Number 5 Division. Chief Constables Office, Chester 10th January 1861 In reference to General Order of the 3rd September 1860 and copy letter from the Secretary of State of the 27th August 1860, the Chief Constable herewith by authority cancels both. Chief Constables Office, Chester 2nd February 1861 Sergeant Bolshaw Stockport Division is promoted to 2nd Class Sergeant at 24/- per week from the 1st Instant, in consequence of his great attention and energy in performance of night duty whereby he has affected several good captures. PC John Hayes of Number 3 Division is promoted to Acting Sergeant from the 1st Instant. The attention of Superintendents is called to the fact that of late thieves and other offenders have taken to travelling at night along railway and canals, knowing that the police traverse as a rule the roads only. Chief Constables Office, Chester 14th February 1861 Superintendents will take immediate steps that the clothing of their Divisions be fitted ready for inspection by Colonel Woodford at possibly as very early notice. They will also have their Books duly indexed, numbered and completed according to the list as below 1 Charges, 2 Summons, 3 Orders, 4 Letters, 5 Divisional Orders, 6 Information, 7 Occurrence, 8 Foreign Occurrence and Information, 9 Misconduct, 10 Inn Keepers, 11 Property and Subsistence and 12 Journal. The attention of Superintendents is also called to the following Orders of the Court of Quarter Sessions Page 41 Standing Orders confirmed at Quarter Sessions 31st December 1860 which they will be prepared to carry out at the next Court of Quarter Sessions on Forms that will after be transmitted from this office Orders above referred to. "The Chief Constable will furnish at each Quarter Sessions a return for each Police District of the County of the names of all persons convicted before Magistrates out of Sessions during the preceding quarter, stating also the names of the Magistrates before whom the convictions take place, the offences, the amount of Penalty, if any imposed in each case, and whether paid, or the offenders were committed in default. And Superintendents of each District shall, after each Petty Sessions return a List of Convictions to the Chief Constable, specifying the Fines paid and those in arrears". The Returns above mentioned will be made as follows and be transmitted to this office as soon as possible after the dates below mentioned 16th December to the 15th March inclusive, 16th March to the 15th June inclusive, 16th June to the 15th September inclusive, 16th September to the 15th December inclusive, commencing from the 16th December 1860. Chief Constables Office, Chester 26th February 1861 The Chief Constable has been informed very often of late tobacco has been discovered secreted inside the bread brought into Knutsford Jail by Prisoners, he therefore desires that the Police will most carefully watch and guard against such an abuse by Prisoners while in their custody. Chief Constables Office, Chester 9th March 1861 Sergeant Burrows of the Reserve is from this date reduced to the rank of Acting Sergeant at the rate of 1st Class Constable with the pay of 21/- per week and Acting Sergeant Clark is promoted to the rank of Sergeant at 22/- per week. Chief Constables Office, Chester 11th March 1861 The Chief Constable desires to draw attention to and express his approval of a clever capture of an escaped Prisoner and two other first class Thieves by Acting Inspector William Watson, who undoubtedly by his means prevented other robberies or Burglaries in the County. By Order G. E. Oldmeadow, Chief Clerk. Chief Constables Office, Chester 21st March 1861 The Chief Constable desires that a Certificate will be sent in Half Yearly on the 30th June and 31st December, signed by every member of the Cheshire Constabulary stating that he has carefully read through at least once during the preceding half of the year the "Printed Book of Instructions" Chief Constables Office, Chester 2nd April 1861 The Police will give every assistance in their power to forward the correct taking of the Census. Chief Constables Office, Chester 8th April 1861 The Chief Constable calls for a Return from Superintendents of Divisions of all monies received by themselves or others in their Divisions during the late Assizes, on account of attending there as Prosecutors or Witnesses, also showing amount received by them in Certificate of Costs in some cases, also stating whether they received any money whatever in more than one case. The Return to be sent in according to the following form Name. Case. Travelling Allowance. Number of Days and Nights allowed for. Amount. Amount Received in Certificate of Costs. Total Received. Remarks. The Chief Constable positively forbids any officer of the Cheshire Constabulary excepting the Detective Inspectors to appear at Assizes or Sessions dressed otherwise than in their official uniform. Chief Constables Office, Chester 11th April 1861 The following promotions will take from the 13th Instant Division Rank and Name Old Rate New Rate 2 PC Henry Clark 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 4 PC Thomas Lowe 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 5 PC James Schofield 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 6 PC George Parker 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 8 PC James Fernley 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 7 PC John Shawcroft 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 7 PC Richard Myers 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 7 PC James Love 20/- weekly 21/- weekly 2 PC Thomas Brereton 19/- weekly 20/- weekly 4 PC Samuel Rowbotham 19/- weekly 20/- weekly 4 PC Samuel Williamson 19/- weekly 20/- weekly 5 PC John Eastwood 19/- weekly 20/- weekly 6 PC Robert Westall 19/- weekly 20/- weekly 6 PC Thomas Garside 19/- weekly 20/- weekly 7 PC Josiah Porter 19/- weekly 20/- weekly 10 PC Amariath Atkins 19/- weekly 20/- weekly Chief Constables Office, Chester 13th April 1861 PC Bohan Number 7 Division is promoted to 2nd Class Constable from the 9th Instant for a clever capture of two thieves on that date. Chief Constables Office, Chester 20th April 1861 Superintendents will prepare at an early period and afterwards always keep at hand a list containing the names of at least two men in each Constables District who may be both qualified and willing to act as temporary Watchmen on pay and so replace any Constable removed from his District by a sudden emergency or otherwise. A duplicate of such list to be sent to this office on the 1st of each quarter, the first return to be sent in on the 15th May 1861. Chief Constables Office, Chester 20th April 1861 Sergeant Percival of Number 2 Division is reduced from Sergeant to 1st Class Constable at 21/- per week, and will proceed to Crewe to be there stationed, PC Lannon who will proceed to Runcorn. PC Samuel Chesters Number 2 Division is appointed Acting Sergeant from this date at Runcorn. PC Bramhall is transferred from Runcorn to Nantwich. PC Bowdon will proceed to Runcorn. PC Mealor Number 2 Division is transferred to Number 5 Division and will be stationed at Sandbach Lockup. PC Grant of Number 5 Division resigned. PC Thomas Penlington, Number 4 Division to be removed from Crewe to Wybunbury vice PC Lannon. The above transfer to take place on the 23rd Instant. Chief Constables Office, Chester 23rd April 1861 Superintendents will collect at an early period all the clothing of their Divisions issued in 1859 and Caps 1860, having all metal buttons and badges removed and they will then have them packed ready for transmission to party purchasing same, forwarding to this office a Return Accounting for every article. Chief Constables Office, Chester 23rd April 1861 PC Samuel Threadgold Number 6 Division is promoted to 2nd Class Constable from the 13th Instant. Chief Constables Office, Chester 25th April 1861 Sergeant Lawton of Number 9 Division is promoted to 2nd Class Sergeant at 24/- per week and is transferred to Number 6 Division to be stationed at Tranmere, Sergeant Ludlam transferred from Number 6 to Number 9 Division. This arrangement the Chief Constable wishes carried out as soon as possible. Chief Constables Office, Chester 26th April 1861 The new clothing and one cap will be taken into wear on the 15th proximo. In reference to General Order of the 23rd Instant, the Great Coat for 1857 will only be taken from officers they retaining those issued in 1859 and 1861. Chief Constables Office, Chester 27th April 1861 Superintendents are referred to General Order of the 23rd April 1860 and will see the instructions therein carried out. PC Gosling stationed at Waverton will give special and constant attention to all passengers arriving at or departing from Railway Stations from the 4th proximo to the Tuesday following termination of Chester Races and PC Southern of Number 6 Division and PC March of Number 3 Division will perform the same duty at Railway Stations at Mollington and Helsby. Inspectors Britnor and Egerton will join the Reserve on Monday 6th proximo remaining until the following Monday and with Inspector Burgess will arrange that one of them is always on night duty during that period around the immediate vicinity of Chester. Chief Constables Office, Chester 29th April 1861 The Chief Constable calls particular attention to a neglect which he has noticed in the police not endorsing on the commitment an inventory of all property found upon prisoners and should a order for maintenance or conveyance of prisoners be made by Magistrates such disposal of the prison property should be stated. By Order. G. E. Oldmeadow. Chief Clerk Chief Constables Office, Chester 1st May 1861 The Chief Constable desires that except under peculiar circumstances otherwise requiring it Cheshire Prisoners invariably be taken to Lymm Lockups and not to Warrington, Explanations being always sent to this officer when prisoners are confined in Warrington Lockups. Chief Constables Office, Chester 4th May 1861 All goods of any kind the property of Felons now in possession of the police will be at once sent to this office. Chief Constables Office, Chester 8th May 1861 PC Sharman will be transferred from Poulton Number 6 Division to Crewe in Number 4 Division. PC Percival of the latter Division proceeding to Poulton the above transfers to take place from the 15th Instant. Chief Constables Office, Chester 8th May 1861 The following officers are reappointed from the 7th Instant Rank and Name Division Superintendent Smith Broxton Superintendent Blake Northwich Superintendent Hammond Wirral Superintendent Oldmeadow Reserve On the scale approved by the Court of Quarter Sessions on the 8th April 1861 and since sanctioned by the Secretary of State. Chief Constables Office, Chester 21st May 1861 PC Smallwood of Number 7 Division will be transferred to Number 9 Division and PC Tunstall will be transferred to the former. Chief Constables Office, Chester 8th June 1861 PC Bramhall of Number 4 Division is dismissed from the Cheshire Constabulary for being absent without leave from the 4th to the 6th Instant. By Order. G. E. Oldmeadow. Chief Clerk. Chief Constables Office, Chester 11th June 1861 The Chief Constable is sorry to be obliged to condemn the Conduct of Superintendents on one or two occasions of late, in allowing him to become acquainted through newspapers and other sources with events that ought to have been communicated to him at once direct. In future the Chief Constable will put in orders the name of the Superintendents making this omission. Chief Constables Office, Chester 12th June 1861 The Chief Constable desires that the following may be carefully observed by Superintendents on the approaching Inspection. 1st That the 'State' be duly filled in and signed, in duplicate, ready for the Chief Constable, who will present one to the Government Inspector retaining the other for his own use. 2nd That Superintendents be prepared to show the Government Inspector a proper receipt from owners, of all property in temporary possession of the police, whether prisoners or otherwise. 3rd That Superintendents or Inspectors be ready to drill their own men. 4th That an orderly, a Sergeant where practicable be invariably sent to meet the Government Inspector and the Chief Constable, where the latter are near to or are supposed to walk to, locality of Inspection. 5th All Letters or Documents received by Superintendents are to be kept neatly folded and docketed according to date, ready to be produced if required. 6th Superintendents to be careful the requisite Books are ready to be produced at all Stations in their Divisions. Superintendents will make immediate application for any Books required to complete. The Warrant Cards herewith sent will be issued at once, Superintendents forwarding to this office the old cards. Chief Constables Office, Chester 16th June 1861 Colonel Woodford Government Inspector will Inspect the Cheshire Constabulary commencing with the Divisions as follows Wirral Division at Birkenhead 19th June 1861 at 10.30a.m. Reserve Division at Chester 19th June 1861 at 4.00 p.m. The other Divisions will be held in readiness for immediate inspection on the following days, time and place of which will be notified to the Superintendents. By Order G.E. Oldmeadow. Chief Clerk. Chief Constables Office, Chester 17th June 1861 The following Divisions will Parade for Inspection by Colonel Woodford 1 Broxton Division at Tattenhall at 9.30 a.m. 20th June 1861. 3 Eddisbury Division at Tarporley at 11.30 a.m. 20th June 1861. 4 Nantwich Division at Nantwich at 3. 00 p.m. 20th June 1861. 5 Northwich Division at Sandbach at 8. 30 a.m. 21st June 1861. 8 Macclesfield Division at Macclesfield at 2.30 p.m. 21st June 1861. 9 Stockport Division at Stockport at 11. 00 a.m. 22nd June 1861. 7 Hyde Division at Hyde at 2.30 pm. 22nd June 1861. Chief Constables Office, Chester 18th June 1861 The following detail of police as below will attend at Beeston Festival on the 24th and 25th Instant arriving on ground not later than 10. 00 a.m. Number 1 Division Sergeant Foster PC's Palin and Gosling. Number 3 Division Sergeant Hilton, PC's Mayo, Hayes and 3 PC's. Number 4 Division, PC's Robotham and Morgan. Number 10 Division Sergeant Clarke. Detectives from Cheshire Constabulary, Liverpool and Manchester will also attend. Superintendent Gwynne will be in charge and all directions of the Committee will be promptly carried out by those under him. Chief Constables Office, Chester 10th July 1861 From observations made during the Inspection the Chief Constable issues the following orders. All meetings at Conference Points and names of parties so met will be invariably entered in the Duty Book of both Sergeants and Constables. Copies of Divisional Orders issued by Superintendents will be sent on the last day of each quarter to this office. In the Public House Book 4 pages will be given to each"Sign" and the Index will have reference to the "Sign" and not the name of the occupant. As a rule no mattress will be allowed to drunken men, when locked up in the cells, in consequence of the disgusting state in which they are often made by them. Every Book kept in Divisions must be properly Indexed and if such Index is not or cannot be made in the Book itself a separate Index must be kept. Information Books should contain Felonies, Larcenies and Misdemeanours only. The Occurrence Book all other Divisional Information and occurrences. In the Charge Book when a party is Committed an entry will be made in Red Ink after Trial of result of same and the number of the charge will be written in Red Ink in the margin or across the page of Information or Occurrence Book as a reference to said charge. Acting Sergeants will always be returned in the "State" under the heading of Constables. Each page of the Duty Book will be headed with the name of the Sergeant or Constable. All Letters received are to be duly docketed and tied together according to date, commencing 1st January and ending 31st December of each year. Chief Constables Office, Chester 13th July 1861 The following transfers will take place on such dates as Superintendents Smith and Blake may arrange. Sergeant Foster to Astbury, Sergeant Gibson to Malpas. Chief Constables Office, Chester 15th July 1861 The following promotions will take place from the 1st proximo Division Rank and Name New Class Weekly Rate 1 Sergeant Foster 2nd Class 24/- 2 Sergeant Morgan 1st Class 25/- 5 Sergeant McCallen 1st Class 25/- 5 Sergeant Bohanna 3rd Class 23/- 6 Sergeant Williamson 1st Class 25/- 7 Sergeant Buckley 1st Class 25/- 7 Sergeant Heaton 3rd Class 23/- 8 Sergeant O'Neill 2nd Class 24/- 8 Sergeant Shenton 3rd Class 23/- 9 Sergeant Hindley 2nd Class 24/- Chief Constables Office, Chester 29th July 1861 In reference to leave of absence of Superintendents it is to be understood that on all occasions when absent for a day on pleasure or private affairs that such absence from their Divisions is to be reported to the Chief Constable, but, when absence is required for same purposes for a longer period than a day then Special application is to be made to the Chief Constable for such leave of absence. Chief Constables Office, Chester 31st July 1861 The following changes in the rate of pay and allowances and also the following promotions will take place from the 1st proximo Superintendent Little to be allowed �20 per annum as Deputy Chief Constable in addition to his salary as Superintendent, instead of �10. The Horse allowance to the Inspector of Bucklow and Wirral Divisions to be discontinued. The slary of the Inspectors of Number 2 Division is increased from �90 to �100 per annum and that the Inspector of Number 6 Division from �80 to �90 per annum. That �20 be added to the Horse or travelling allowance of the Superintendent of the Bucklow Division and �10 for same purposes to that of Superintendent of the Wirral Division. That an additional Sergeant be appointed in Numbers 3, 6 and 7 Divisions instead of a Police Constable in each of those Divisions. Acting Sergeant Mayho of Number 3 Division, Acting Sergeant Beardsworth of Number 2 Division, PC Roacher of Number 6 Division and Acting Sergeant Daniels of Number 7 Divisions to be Sergeants at 22/- per week. To be 2nd Class Constables at 20/- per week. Division Rank and Name 1 PC Twemlow 2 PC Bottoms 3 PC Whitley 4 PC Eastwood 5 PC Green 5 PC Pearce 6 PC Casson 7 PC Washington 7 PC Yarwood 8 PC Dutton 9 PC Dawson It having been discovered that Sergeants holding the nominal or local rank of Acting Inspectors have assumed the rank and signature of Inspectors, the Chief Constable desires that in future they will always attach their signatures the rank as follows "Sergeant and Acting Inspector" The Chief Constable has noticed lately the slovenly appearance of Sergeants and Constables on duty in the county without belts, and he has therefore decided to fine any men in the future not properly dressed when so appearing in public. Chief Constables Office, Chester 8th August 1861 PC Savage to be Acting Sergeant in Number 7 Division from this date. By Order G. E. Oldmeadow Chief Clerk Chief Constables Office, Chester 17th June 1861 The following proportion of police from each Division are ordered to be present for duty at Shotwick on the 21st and 22nd Instant at the meeting of the Cheshire Rifle Association, men to be on the ground each day at 10. 00 a.m. in their new clothing and with clean white gloves. Superintendent Hammond will be in charge Division Rank Name Supt Inspector Sergeants Constables 1 Sgt Leah 1 2 2 Sgt Watson 1 3 3 Sgt Hilton & Mayo 2 2 4 Sgt Wood 1 3 5 Sgt McCallen 1 4 6 Ins Rowbotham 1 1 2 14 7 Sgt 1 7 Reserve Sgt 2 2 1 1 11 37 Sgt's 11 Supt 1 Ins 1 Total 50 Chief Constables Office, Chester 19th August 1861 Whenever Police are required to attend a meeting or occasion near the boundary of a Division, the Superintendent of the Division in which the meeting is to be held will arrange with the Divisions of neighbouring Superintendents to assemble for that duty any men of their Divisions in immediate vicinity in preference to bringing his own men from long distances. Chief Constables Office, Chester 19th August 1861 Acting Sergeant William Leah of Number 1 Division is promoted from the 21st instant Sergeant at 22/- per week re Sergeant O'Neill resigned. The following transfers will take place on such date as Superintendents may arrange, notifying same to this office Sergeant Leah to Number 8 Division from Number 1 Division to be stationed at Siddington. Sergeant Leah from Number 1 Division to Number 5 Division to be stationed at Astbury. Sergeant Gibson from Number 5 Division to Number 8 Division to be stationed at Siddington. PC Kay from Number 5 Division to Reserve. PC Buxton from Number 10 Reserve Division to Number 5 Division to be stationed at Witton Street. Chief Constables Office, Chester 27th August 1861 All applications for leave of absence forwarded to the Chief Constable are to be endorsed as recommended or otherwise by Superintendent forwarding them. Chief Constables Office, Chester 31st August 1861 The Chief Constable regrets that he is compelled to remark on the unsuitable horses which some of the Superintendents keep for public service, some are mere ponies others have neither action or pace and are therefore unfit for emergencies and in consequence the Chief Constable herby gives notice that all future occasions of purchase the animal must be passed by him before the allowance is drawn and also that on the 1st January 1862 he will stop the allowance of any Superintendent who has not an efficient Horse, Cart and Harness. Chief Constables Office, Chester 6th September 1861 Sergeant Bohanna Number 5 Division is promoted to 2nd Class Sergeant at 24/- per week. Chief Constables Office, Chester 9th September 1861 PC Palin Number 1 Division to be Acting Sergeant from this date. Chief Constables Office, Chester 11th September 1861 It seems not to be understood that all applications for police on any special occasion should time permitting at once be made to the Chief Constable. Also that on all pleasure occasions where entrance money is paid by the public, that 5/- per day is to be charged for each officer attending, or proportionately for each part if the day, out of which the regular Special Duty Allowance will be paid to the men the balance to be credited to the Police Rate Special. Application must be in reference to any exception to this rule. Chief Constables Office, Chester 14th September 1861 In reference to General Order of the 29th July 1861 Superintendents will understand that they only report their absence when absent the whole day and night from their Division. Chief Constables Office, Chester 20th September 1861 PC Potts is promoted to 1st Class for Vigilant and Energetic conduct on night duty in apprehending a Burglar at Tranmere. Chief Constables Office, Chester 8th October 1861 PC's Hone, Warwick, Heap and Powell are appointed from this date to 2nd Class Constables and will proceed to Tranmere this day there to be stationed as extra men for that Township at the cost of the Local Board. Chief Constables Office, Chester 15th October 1861 The Police will in future be careful to observe that Commitments are always properly filled in before they remove their prisoner to Jail. Chief Constables Office, Chester 20th October 1861 The following transfers will take place on the 23rd Instant PC Ardern from Tarvin to Tattenhall, PC Hall from Tattenhall to Buglawton and PC Furness from Reserve to Tarvin. Chief Constables Office, Chester 23rd October 1861 At all Petty Sessions the Superintendent or other Police Officer will furnish to the Bench a list of any former convictions, known to them, against all parties brought before such Bench, in a similar manner as printed and submitted in Calendars before the Judge at the Assizes and before the Chairman of the Quarter Sessions. Superintendents are requested to give every latitude to the use of plain clothes on police duty subject however to the invariable report beforehand or afterwards to a Sergeant or other Superior Officer, also as often as may be requested two or more Constables may be directed to patrol or work together instead of singly, such however being invariably reported in a like manner. By Order. G. E. Oldmeadow Chief Clerk. Chief Constables Office, Chester 28th October 1861 From the 1st Instant the allowance for cleaning Magistrates Rooms and Cells at Nantwich will be as follows Magistrates Room 8/- per month, Cells 8/- per month. Chief Constables Office, Chester 29th October 1861 The Chief Constable desires that the police will afford every possible assistance to the United Kingdom Electric Telegraph Company in preventing and detecting any damage to their works along the Canals of this County, particularly as such Telegraphs will prove most available and useful for police purposes. Chief Constables Office, Chester 1st November 1861 The following promotions will take place from the 16th Instant Rank Name Division New Class New Weekly Rate Sergeant Wood 4 2nd 24/- Sergeant Dale 5 3rd 23/- Sergeant Hindley 6 2nd 24/- Sergeant Clarke 10 3rd 23/- PC Twemlow 1 1st 21/- PC Bebington 2 1st 21/- PC Gosling 2 1st 21/- PC Birch 2 1st 21/- PC Whiston 2 2nd 20/- PC Woodcock 3 1st 21/- PC Seddon 4 1st 21/- PC Woolley 4 1st 21/- PC Whyte 5 1st 21/- PC Turnock 5 2nd 20/- PC Handford 6 1st 21/- PC Booth 6 1st 21/- PC Maddock 6 2nd 20/- PC Howe 6 2nd 20/- PC Porter 7 1st 21/- PC Ardern 7 1st 21/- PC Duff 7 1st 21/- PC Young 8 2nd 20/- PC Ridgway 9 1st 21/- PC Burr 9 2nd 20/- PC Atkin 10 1st 21/- The Chief Constable desires that Superintendents will inform the police of their Divisions that no man has any claim for protection by means of the Defence Fund unless he has subscribed thereto. Chief Constables Office, Chester 2nd November 1861 PC Hone having already served as a Sergeant in the West Riding of Yorkshire during two years is appointed Acting Sergeant in Tranmere from this date. Chief Constables Office, Chester 4th November 1861 Superintendents will at once direct the men of their Divisions to try their staves by striking them against a flat surface such as will neither dent nor cut them. Any that may be broken by this means will be forwarded to Head Quarters with a brief account of the force required to break them and will be replaced by others. Chief Constables Office, Chester 4th November 1861 The Chief Constable having obtained the sanction of the Court of Quarter Sessions to establish for Sergeants and Constables a Badge of Merit with accompanying pay of 2d per day, desires that the following will be understood as the rules on which he shall confer the same Mere length of service even though combined with good conduct shall not entitle any man to claim this badge neither shall any single act of meritorious conduct, of necessity claim the same. A single act of conspicuous daring and signal energy on duty, with one year's good character and freedom from any misconduct report may however on its own merits be adjudged by the Chief Constable as deserving of the badge Repeated acts of daring or meritorious and energetic conduct on duty will also give claim to the badge, and in all cases length of service and good character will add weight to such claim. As the badge of Sergeant and Constable is distinct, promotion from Constable to Sergeant will cause the badge of the latter to be relinquished. (See General Order 1st September 1868). Misconduct of any kind renders the possession of the badge liable to immediate forfeiture of the same by order of the Chief Constable. The badge will be worn on the left arm below the elbow. N.B. Every Act recommended by Superintendents for this badge will be fully enquired into prior to forwarding same. Chief Constables Office, Chester 9th November 1861 The Chief Constable has been compelled to remove a Constable, PC Greer from his district because when during night duty he saw two men in the act of Poaching, he neglected the orders of the Chief Constable in not at once informing the neighbouring keepers and also because when a gun was presented at him by one of the Poachers he did not forthwith seek assistance to capture the party so threatening his life. Chief Constables Office, Chester 18th November 1861 Superintendents will as soon as possible send to this office the names of any well known Poachers who have been convicted of Felony or other Offences not Poaching. The names of any parties convicted of any offence, other than Poaching, but who have also been once convicted of Day or Night Poaching, although not well known Poachers. These Returns according to the enclosed form must be carefully prepared and where parties have been often convicted, two only of the most serious offences, not Poaching are to be briefly given. Form of Return Name Number of times convicted of Poaching. Offences other than Poaching with dates of same. Character, Sober or Otherwise. Chief Constables Office, Chester 18th November 1861 In correspondence with this office all communications will in future be signed with the name and rank only without the usual proceeding "I have the honour to be your obedient servant" and will be invariably addressed to Captain Smith, Chief Constable of Cheshire, this order applies however only to this office, as all other correspondence will be carried on as heretofore. Chief Constables Office, Chester 28th November 1861 The Chief Constable desires Superintendents will add to the Returns already sent in relative to Poachers being convicted of other offences, by making further enquiries from the oldest and most experienced officers or Sergeants of Sections and transmit the additional information to this office as it is desirable to make the Returns as full as possible. Chief Constables Office, Chester 3rd December 1861 Sergeant Ludlam of Number 9 Division having sent in his resignation with an impertinent and insubordinate letter is reduced to the rank and pay of a Constable and as such dismissed from the Cheshire Constabulary. PC Morris is promoted to 3rd Class Sergeant in that Division at 22/- per week. 2nd Class Sergeant Cooper of Number 7 Division is promoted to 1st Class Sergeant. Superintendents of Divisions will invariably send copies of all orders received from Head Quarters to the Sergeants of their Sections, who will read them to their men under them at the earliest possible opportunity. The second Cap for officers will be issued at once. Chief Constables Office, Chester 6th December 1861 Application having been made to the Chief Constable for assistance on occasion of the Election at Birkenhead the following detail will arrive in Chester on Monday next the 9th Instant not later than 10 a.m. Division Rank and Name 1 Acting Sergeant Palin, PC's Philips, Twemlow, Gosling. 2 Inspector Steen, Sergeant Chester, PC Coleman. 3 Sergeant Hilton, PC's Whittaker, Marsh and 3 PC's. 4 Sergeant Wilson, and 5 PC's 10 Inspector Burgess, Sergeant's Clarke and Burrows, 2 PC's The remainder as detailed below will arrive at Chester on Monday night Division Rank and Name 2 Sergeant Watson, and 6 PC's 5 Superintendent Blake and 5 PC's. 7 Superintendent Little Deputy Chief Constable, 10 PC's 9 4 PC's Each man will be supplied with a Cutlass, but they are to be kept wrapped up together strictly out of sight and so brought into Head Quarters in charge of a trustworthy officer. Staffs, Handcuffs or Snips will also be in possession of each man, and armlets will be issued at Head Quarters and be worn under the coat on the left arm, so that the bar of the steel may be ready to ward off blow of stick etc,. As much license is allowed at Elections, the Chief Constable cautions the Police to exercise the utmost forbearance and even to receive much provocation and personal annoyance rather than show loss of temper or unnecessarily attempt to arrest. This Order will be read to all intended to be present. Superintendent will also hold every available man in their Division ready after 11 a.m. on Monday until 5 p.m. on Tuesday evening 10th Instant, so as to be able to start by first train after receipt of Telegram or other Summons. The men to be sent but not named in this order will be experienced and otherwise equal to the occasion. Chief Constables Office, Chester 7th December 1861 As the men arrive at the County Police Station Birkenhead, they will be told off into Sections of 20 men each, two Sergeants to be in the ranks of each Section and also three of the Wirral Division for the purpose of recognition and each Section bearing a distinctive number will there be placed under the charge of a Superintendent or Inspector and will immediately put through their facings the formation of fours and the drawing and returning of Cutlasses but the latter must not be in sight of the public, these Sections when thus told off, will during the two days invariably so fall in together in like order, ready for any duty alone or with other Sections. It will be understood that arrests are not to be made of any drunken men, for mere drunkenness or for fighting unless severe results seem likely to ensue, when the ringleaders only need to be apprehended, but fewer prisoners made the better, as Summonsing are more advisable in such cases. In reference to General Orders of yesterday's date, Superintendents will at once take immediate steps to send all the men already detailed and also every other available Officer and Constable who can be spared from duty on Monday and Tuesday so as either to be present on the platform at Chester Railway Station on Monday morning next the 9th Instant or to be at County Police Station Birkenhead by other route not later than 10 a.m. that morning all the other detail of the General Order of the 6th Instant will be carried out in respect to these men whose service will be required until Tuesday night. Should any available men not be able to reach by the above named hours, they must be sent as soon as possible to the County Police Station Birkenhead. Chief Constables Office, Chester 11th December 1861 In reference to General Order of the 3rd Instant Sergeant Morris and PC Chesworth will exchange districts on such day as Superintendent Holliday may arrange. Chief Constables Office, Chester 12th December 1861 Superintendents will parade their Divisions for being measured for new clothing and caps Messer's Dolan Foreman at the following places, dates and hours Division Date Location Time 7 Monday 16th December Hyde 9 a.m. 9 Monday 16th December Stockport 12 noon 8 Monday 16th December Macclesfield 3 p.m. 4 Tuesday 17th December Nantwich 9 a.m. 5 Tuesday 17th December Middlewich 12 noon Superintendent Blake to meet the measurer at Sandbach Station at 10.57 a.m. and drive him to Middlewich and from there to Over where Superintendent Gwynne will meet him and drive him to the Abbey Arms. 3 Tuesday 17th December Abbey Arms 4 p.m. 1 Wednesday 18th December Tattenhall 9.30 a.m. 10 Wednesday 18th December Chester 12 noon 2 Tuesday 19th December Runcorn Gap Station/Runcorn Section 9.25 a.m. Lymm 1 p.m. Altrincham 4.30 p.m. All Divisions now require re numbering, Superintendents will make out a list of their Divisions according to the following numbers, Sergeants bearing the first numbers in such lists Division Numbers From To Sergeants From To 1 1 10 Sergeants 1 2 10 46 Sergeants 10 14 3 47 60 Sergeants 47 48 4 61 77 Sergeants 61 62 5 78 96 Sergeants 78 81 6 97 130 Sergeants 97 101 7 131 159 Sergeants 131 135 8 160 174 Sergeants 160 162 9 175 190 Sergeants 175 177 10 191 199 Sergeants 191 Supernumeraries 5 1 2A 6 3 6A Chief Constables Office, Chester 14th December 1861 PC Hulme of Number 6 Division and PC Bowden of Number 2 Division will exchange Districts on such as the Superintendent may arrange. Chief Constables Office, Chester 19th December 1861 PC Joseph Warwick having in a most gallant manner at the risk of his own life jumped into a deep pool in the River Mersey, in full uniform and saved the life of a boy is from the 5th Instant promoted from 2nd Class to 1st Class Constable. By Order G. E. Oldmeadow. Chief Clerk. 192 193 194 195 196 197 198 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 206 207 208 209 210 211 212 213 214 Page 215 not used 216 217 218 219 220 221 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231