Page 37 - Top Cover Issue 8

TOP COVER ISSUE 8 37

Head Constable William Campling In the Met, the Inspecting Berkshire County Constabulary Constable William Davey (Met) goes to
(Saffron Walden Borough, Essex) is Superintendent, Lieutenant-Colonel is formed. The Chief Constable, investigate the sound of muffled voices
shot when he is ambushed outside his Douglas Labalmondiere, writes to Colonel James Fraser, directs that: ‘A and recognises two thieves who are
house. He dies nine days later. Benjamin the Home Office asking for authority small cutlass may be supplied to any stealing timber from a building site.
Petit is charged with the murder and to incur the cost of supplying each Constable whose beat is so situated They are two brothers, Joseph and Isaac
tried at Essex Lent Assizes in 1850 but mounted man (all of whom have pistols) [that], in the opinion of two Justices Brooks, and although they make off
the evidence is circumstantial and he is with a means of carrying ammunition of the County, it is necessary for his they realise that Davey has seen them.
acquitted. on their saddles. personal protection in the performance When they reach home Joseph tells his
The Times reports that: ‘It is an of his duty. The cutlass is only to be sister-in-law to redeem a single-barrel
extra-ordinary fact that the muskets worn at night or at times when rioting percussion fowling piece of his from
and pistols supplied to that valuable or serious public disturbance has a local pawn shop. When Mrs Brooks
body of men constituting the Coast actually taken place or is apprehended. returns Joseph Brooks goes to Davey’s
Guard are still fitted with the common home and shoots and kills him to
flint lock. This circumstance is worthy prevent him reporting what he has seen.
of the notice of the New Board of However, Davey has already reported
Admiralty and the Master General of the matter to his sergeant. Inspectors
Ordnance’. John Searle and John Scotney go to the
Brook’s home where they find Joseph
in bed. He denies having a gun but it is
found between the bed and the mattress.
He says that he ‘forgot it was there’.
Both brothers are tried for murder at
the Old Bailey. There being insufficient
evidence against Isaac he is acquitted on
the directions of the trial judge. Joseph
Brooks is sentenced to be executed and
he is hanged outside Newgate prison.
1849 1852 1856 1863

1850 1853 1862 1865

Parish Constable George Dadson The need for a National Police Force Constable William Jump (Ashton- Guildford Borough Police (Surrey)
(Cranbrook, Kent) is keeping watch on a is debated in the House of Commons under-Lyne Borough, Lancashire) armed with cutlasses finally put an end
copse from which wood is being stolen. and it is suggested that there should is shot and killed. John Ward and to the Guy Riots, a series of outbursts
William Walters emerges carrying be ‘a Select Committee to consider the Michael Burke are leading a group of lawlessness that have plagued
stolen firewood and Dadson calls on him expediency of adopting a more uniform of armed men marching to Clifford’s Guildford on a regular basis since the
to stop but instead he tries to run away. system of police in England and Wales brickyard because it’s owners do not 1820s.
Dadson shoots him, wounding him in the … [and it is] thought desirable that the recognise the bricklayer’s union.
leg. Although it is not unlawful to shoot police should everywhere be trained to Having destroyed 16,000 bricks they
an escaping felon, stealing wood is not a the use of arms, in the same manner as leave and are confronted by Jump and
felony unless the thief has at least two the Irish constabulary were’. another officer. One fires and Jump dies
previous convictions. In fact, Walters almost immediately. Ward and Burke
has numerous convictions for theft but are convicted of murder at Lancashire
Dadson does not know this until later Assizes in Liverpool and sentenced to
and so he is charged with unlawful be executed. Ward is hanged outside
wounding with intent to cause grievous Kirkdale prison. Burke has his sentence
bodily harm. He is found guilty at the commuted to transportation for life.
Kent Summer Assizes at Maidstone but
he appeals against his conviction on the
grounds that Walters is indeed a felon. Police History Series
The conviction is upheld by the Court
of Appeal which noted that subsequent
knowledge cannot count towards Mike Waldren QPM looks at a timeline of Policing and Firearms
justification and Dadson returns to
court in March 1851 to be sentenced to In this issue we explore 1829-1865
five days in prison.