Dave Wilkinson

Tim, I've been able to source a "used" copy of "Badges of Office". which you are welcome to have with my compliments. Contact me on:- dave.wilkinson73@btinternet.com With your address. Dave.

Tim, When you reply to a topic, or start a new post, at the bottom of the box you are typing in, you will see the image of a paperclip on the left hand side. I click on the blue highlighted words "choose files". That should take you to images stored on your computer. Select your image. Click on "open" and the image will appear on the bottom of your posting. I did have a spare copy of "Badges of Office", but unfortunately parted with it. The book is out of print and has been for several years. Despite that fact, I would not pay any more than £20-25 for a copy for it if you do find one. Dave.

Tim, There was indeed a Torquay Police Force. It existed between 1835 and 1857. There were never any helmet badges but there were tunic buttons. I have an example in my collection. See appended photo. Devon & Cornwall had a myriad of small Town Police Forces, most of which existed for only a few years. Dave.

I would not recommend buying this. There is a degree of misinformation contained within it and some incorrectly described illustrations which are in the main copied from various sources. The individual in question invariably marks each of the photos with his "copyright" mark. Rather rich, when you consider that the majority of the images are taken from eBay and other uncredited sources. A far more reliable tome is that published by the Police History Society, and which is mentioned in my previous posting. I have no time for individuals who seek financial or other such advantage using images belonging to others, without appropriate credit or permission.

I've collected British police insignia since 1966, and have had an interest in the history of British policing since that time. I've looked at several publications. Two in particular "Survey of the Present and Former Police Forces of England, Wales & the Channel Islands" By H.V.D. Hallett (July 1975), and "The British Police, Police Forces & Chief Officers 1829 -2012. Published by the Police History Society (2nd Edition 2011). Neither mention the Stonehouse Borough Police. There is a third book, "Badges of Office" by Wilkinson & Taylor. This book gives details of a "family tree" for each of the current forces. Again, no mention. I don't know who has provided you with the information you apparently have, but it is manifestly wrong. No such force has ever existed. As an aside, I'm sorry to say that I've not been able to open your attachment. So, as I've said previously, you are looking for a helmet plate that does not exist. Dave.

There was never, according to the records I have, such a police force. If they did have a body of police or Constables then they existed before the creation of recognised police forces. That being the case, they would not have worn helmets, which came into use circa. 1865. Dave. Ps. I assume you are talking about Stonehouse in Devon. If you are, it was never a "Borough" but was an area of what is now part of Plymouth.

Without wishing to "stir" the proverbial, I do think that the continual churning out of medals by the UK Government seems to be spiralling out of control. We will soon bring ourselves into line with those other nations (I won't name them) whose uniformed representatives adorn themselves with what seems to be endless lines of medal ribbons. Some of those individuals are obviously very young in service and yet have two or more lines of ribbon to their credit already. What are they for I ask myself, completing their recruit course successfully, or perhaps good attendance for six months? Before my retirement, I spent 20 plus years working in a law enforcement capacity at the Port of Dover and had almost continuous involvement with HM Immigration Service and its later re-incarnation. So, there is little I do not know about their work. Its gone from a non-uniformed, non-confrontational role to a rather aggressive arm of the Home Office. They went from wearing a smart civilian lounge suit to adopting a uniform which so emulates that of a bobby complete with batons and handcuffs hanging from their belt, that they are often wrongly described by many as "police", a term which they themselves seem to cherish. The term "Border Force" appears to be out of step with the Government's wish to be "Service" oriented. The police have (in the main) long since ceased to use the term "police force", so I wonder why there is this desire to present an image which is so out of keeping with what people expect. Do they embark upon dangerous assignments? Probably. But I know from my own experience that they go about their enforcement work "mob handed" and seldom if ever operate on their own. So the risk of them being injured or attacked is reduced significantly. The same could also have been said for the old HM Customs & Excise. If they were dealing with the public there were invariably five or six of their staff present. One further comment I would make is that they are supported by a very active Union and have the right to withdraw their labour at the drop of a hat. Not that the general public would give a hoot if that were to take place, as indeed it has in the past, with very little effect. So, they've got themselves a Long Service & Good Conduct medal. They've joined the "club". Well done! Personally, I've always thought that the elderly gentleman who operates the School Crossing Patrol near where I live has a particularly dangerous job. He's on his own and often faces anger, aggression and risk of assault most days. I'm tempted to start an on line petition suggesting that after two years continuous service he should get a medal. Now that's a thought! Dave.

It is an epaulette badge worn by the States of Jersey Police. Dave.

The CIIIR badge changes seem to be slowly taking place now. Staffordshire Police have introduced a new helmet plate and cap badge. The helmet plates are currently only being issued to recruits. The attached pic. shows the new cap badge on a PCSO's cap. Dave.

A nice nostalgic look at a long lost style of policing which we will never see again, more is the pity. Thank you for sharing. Dave.

I can confirm that these items have no connection whatsoever to Liverpool City Police. Dave.

David, Thank you for the detailed explanation. Its appreciated. In particular, I was not aware of the fact that the APM could not be awarded for gallantry. Dave.

He's clearly not an unintelligent man otherwise he would not hold the position of Chief Constable. As such, he would surely have known quite well what the protocols are in respect of the wearing of medals. If he wasn't (which I doubt), then there are people around him who would surely have told him. Prior to being appointed CC of Northamptonshire, he was with Greater Manchester Police. in fact he was the divisional commander of the two policewomen, Nicola Hughes & Fiona Bone who were murdered there several years ago. As to when he began wearing medals to which he is not entitled, I don't know. He also attracted publicity recently by saying that he would pay personally for a supply of union flag "thin blue line" patches for his force to wear on their uniforms, saying that it was important to remember the sacrifice of police officers who loose their lives when performing their duty. His decision making ability appears to be seriously flawed, which having regard to the position he holds, must be very worrying for those who rely upon him to make such decisions. If you look back over the past few years its amazing how many Chiefs', Deputies', and Assistants' that find themselves the subject of disciplinary investigations, many of which result in premature retirement or other methods of disposal, resulting in their departure. There must be something seriously wrong with the way these individuals are selected for these positions. Many of the old style Chiefs' will be spinning in their graves. Dave.

DPK, Its interesting to see that the medals to which you refer are "created" by individual Australian police forces as opposed to being a "national" award approved by Parliament. That suggests that (two or three?) individual forces have found the need to "fill the gap" for want of better words. If that were to happen here in the UK, and I don't think that legally there is anything to prevent it, then such medals would be regarded as "unapproved" and would need to be worn on the opposite side of the chest to awards approved by the Sovereign by Royal Warrant under his Sign Manual. The creation of such awards and monetary allowances' here by individual forces would be akin to the merit and commend badges which some UK forces issue. Nothing more and nothing less. I think it unlikely that (unlike Australia) UK forces would go it alone. If such a thing were to come to fruition here nationally, and it was not far reaching in terms of eligibility, there would quickly be a petition created to award medals posthumously to every police officer killed on duty (or pensionably injured) since the beginning of the last century. Where is the line to be drawn? In my opinion the whole concept of medals being issued (for whatever reason) appears to be getting out of hand. Everybody wants one, in some cases whether they are entitled to it or not! If care is not taken many will become nothing but questionable/meaningless trinkets Dave.