This truncheon was worn
by the High Constable of Croydon.
It was a sign of importance
rather than a weapon.

Before 1840 police were elected locally.
The High Constable was in charge
of all the police in the area.

These accounts
of arrests made in Croydon
are read by an actor:

"Richard Smith of Whyteleafe, a labourer,
was charged with being disorderly
by fighting at Shirley."

"A little boy, Stephen Buckler,
was charged with wandering
at North Park, Croydon.
He said that his parents and relations
had all died in the winter
and he had not slept in a bed for 5 months.
PC 181 took him to the police station."

Before 1800 policemen were not paid.
They were local men
who were elected by each Parish.

From 1829 Croydon's Policemen
were paid for their work.
They weren't always popular.
People complained
that they drank and swore
and there were cases
of police brutality.

Police had little training
and they had to deal with everything
from violence to welfare work.

In 1840, the London Metropolitan Police
was set up by Sir Robert Peel.

To find out more about early policing
in Croydon

you can visit the Research Room to look at:

• Local newspapers from the 1860s

• Street directories which mention the police
in Croydon

The Research Room is on the
lower ground floor of the Clocktower,
It is open Tuesday-Saturday
10:30am-5pm.