Rochdale set to celebrate 150 years of policing

Date published: 14/02/2007

The "Rochdale Borough Police’ was founded 28 February 1857, and a total of 15 police officers* were sworn in on that day.

Today, Rochdale boasts 423 police officers and 47 police community support officers (PCSOs), who serve people across the region as part of neighbourhood policing.  

It is difficult to pinpoint the precise location of the first police station in Rochdale, but records do mention the "Police Office’ on Union Street and a Superintendent's House, which was an official residence for the chief officer that also contained a police office.  There was also a "Lock Up’ that contained seven cells and a residence for the Constable responsible for supervising, feeding and accounting for prisoners.

In 1872 the police headquarters was transferred to Rochdale Town Hall, and moved to its current location in 1971.

Annual pay for the first officers was £45.50 for a Constable, £54.60 for a Sergeant and £120 for a Superintendent.

As a guide to the value of these wages, a Constable was paid a little more than a typical labourer's wage, and the Superintendent's pay was equivalent to that of a school headmaster.  

There were no Inspectors at that time, and the post of "Chief Constable’ did not appear in Rochdale until 1864.

Early working conditions were harsh, and it is unlikely that the first Rochdale officers were entitled to any time off at all – it was not until 1861 that they were given an entitlement of seven days leave per year. Early shifts were eight, 10 or 12 hours in length, worked seven days per week, 52 weeks of the year.

Equipment provided to officers was very basic.  It would have included a stout wooden truncheon, a wooden rattle called an alarm rattle or "Rick Rack’, which was used to raise the alarm and call for help, and an oil lantern for night duty. Officers would also possibly have been issued with a pair of handcuffs, although these were not always found at this period.

No pension was provided by the force 150 years ago, as this was introduced later in the 19th century. Contributions to the pension fund then were based on the assumption that a retired officer would typically live only two years after retiring from the force.

Divisional Commander for Rochdale, Chief Superintendent David Hull, said: "We have a proud tradition of policing in Rochdale, and although the working-life of a police officer has changed immeasurably over the last 150 years, our values remain the same.

"Not only will we continue to fight crime and protect people, but we will also strive to forge strong links with communities right across the borough, as this is an essential part of policing."

Councillor Ted Flynn, Cabinet member for community, safety and leisure, added: "Rochdale Council and Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership will continue to work towards a strong and positive relationship with Greater Manchester Police, and we wish them every success in policing the borough for the next 150 years."

* The first officers sworn in were:

Superintendent John Henry Callender (Chief Officer)
Sergeant John Cragg
Sergeant Thomas Greenwood
PC Bartholomew Plunkett
PC Joseph Hepworth
PC John Travis
PC John Waterhouse
PC Edward Lord
PC James Midgley
PC James Hey
PC John Cropper
PC John Stoney
PC Robert Lord
PC James Schofield
PC William Weatherhead  

• The job of a police officer was considered so dangerous 150 years ago that inventors constantly sent designs for improved truncheons to forces for consideration. These included truncheons made of cast iron (which were issued briefly in some forces), truncheons with a concealed knife blade that could be turned into a spear and even a truncheon containing a pistol barrel, so officers could choose to either hit offenders or shoot them, or both. 
• Transportation supplied for police use was very limited and initially would have comprised the horse drawn "Black Maria’ prison van that took prisoners to the Magistrates' Court each day.  It is probable that the Superintendent also had access to a horse and carriage for official use.  Bicycles didn't appear until the late 19th century. 
• The force received its first Government inspection in September 1857. It passed, and the inspectors noted with delight that each officer received a printed set of the force instructions (this comprised the sum total of training given to constables), and also that each man received 6d (2.5p) per week boot allowance, as each officer purchased their own boots.
• The prisoners in the cells were supplied with three meals a day, comprising coffee and bread, at a cost of 3d (1.25p) per meal. The entire administration and record keeping of the force was contained in 22 official books, which were all found to be well kept and up to date.