POLICING KENT 1800-2000 Guarding the Garden of England

Hardcover. Kent has had police systems of one kind or another since before the Norman Conquest and formal police forces since the early 19th century. Yet, surprisingly, this extensively illustrated book was the first comprehensive and definitive history of the policing of the county. The narrative covers the days before the introduction of Peel's 'New Police', when policing was still in the hands of watchmen and parish constables of dubious efficiency, before describing the formation of the first Borough Police Forces from around 1836. Kent was slow to introduce a Rural Constabulary, but a county-wide force was finally formed in 1857. The Kent County Constabulary gradually absorbed all the existing Borough forces to become one of the larger forces in the country, with a well-deserved reputation for efficiency and effectiveness. The efforts of the Women Police, Specials, Reservists, Cadets, Civilians and others in achieving this are fully recognised. Profusely Illus. Appendices, Notes and Index. 188pp. 4to. h/back. F. in Nr. F. dw. A heavy book which will require additional postage if shipped overseas.