Circa 1950's/1960's London, UK. Metropolitan Police Constables Present Their 'Appointments' To The Duty Inspector Whilst On Parade Before Leaving The Station To Go On Patrol.

Believe it or not the 'appointments' being presented amounted to the total 'protection' available to a police officer whilst patrolling the streets of Central London (UK) both night and day.

How men and women took on this personal challenge to protect their communities knowing that their 'appointments' were the only barrier between them and the 'cutting edge' of fighting crime in a major capital city such as London is hard to comprehend in today's world.

'Appointments' refer to a 'truncheon', 'whistle', and 'report books' as shown above. Amazing to think that this practice continued to as recently as the early 1970's.

The Metropolitan Police truncheon was made from the Lignum Vitae tree, (wood of life) more information here:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lignum_vitae

More about the Metropolitan Police Whistle here:

thewhistlegallery.com/spotlight/013-metropolitan-police-w...

Note the striped armband that signified that the officer was 'on duty'.

Policing has changed dramatically since those days, there were no tasers, no stab vests, no handcuffs, no hi viz jackets, no personal radios and guns were literally unheard of by the majority of police officers and indeed by the Metrpolitan Police Force itself.

Even scarves, shoes {boots only} and beards were banned, unkempt stubble would have been dealt with by a fine under discipline regulations.

Regulations required that officers could not wear spectacles or be colour blind (related to evidence given in court particularly in cases involving the traffic light system) and contrary to common belief they could not have flat feet! Medical requirements were stringent, teeth condition had to be perfect as well as eyesight. There was no leniency offered regarding the minimum height limit.

Officers would have to request permission to marry (a potential wife would be 'checked out') and buy or rent their own house and had to ensure that they could arrive for all shifts (day and night, 6am, 2pm & 10pm) by public transport which limited the distance away from the station that an officer could reside.

Taking on another job, even part time, was not allowed, many were dismissed or heavily fined for breaking this regulation.

As a general rule an officer would not be posted to a station located in the same area as his residence.

Single officers would be housed in a section house (not allowed to purchase or rent their own property) and if they wished to spend a night away would have to seek permission and 'book out' and would be limited to a maximum of three nights away.

Convictions of any sort (no lights on a bicycle, no road tax, drunk driving etc) would bar an applicant from being accepted as a Constable by the Metropolitan Police.

Political allegiances and private views for officers in the 1950's and 1960's were ALWAYS to be kept private as officers were expected to deal with all matters with an open and impartial view. Allegiances were always to the Monarch minus any political or personal preference leanings.

Rightly or wrongly, to this day, I have tried to remain true to this impartial expectation.

Metropolitan Police guidelines and requirements have most certainly changed since the 50's and 60's and indeed into the 70's!

Taken in: United Kingdom / England / London / Whitehall (show map)

Taken on: January 1, 1955

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