SELF EDUCATION FOR THE POLICE 1899 - a unique guide to Victorian policing

Self Education for the Police 1899 - A unique guide to Victorian Policing: Reproduced by Don Hale:

Introduction

This is a fascinating document unearthed by accident from the archives of my great grandfather’s personal effects, which had lain hidden and unseen for well over 100 years. He was a former soldier who left the services to become a police constable, sergeant, detective sergeant, detective inspector, chief inspector and finally the youngest ever superintendent of Manchester Police.

The content of this document is based upon the copy found within the faded notes of Self Education for the Police, which became known as the ‘Bobby’s Bible,’ and contained all the information required for a police officer to do his duty.

The unique book contained a host of question and answers, tests and a sort of template so that each officer could be guided into the appropriate course of action.

Policing and living costs c1900

Police wages: A police constable around 1900 would earn about £67 per year, which would increase to about £80 per annum after ten years service. A sergeant could expect to take home £104 per annum, and a superintendent about £290.

Police officers could also apply for boot allowances of £1.50 per year, and if they reached the senior ranks, they could also apply for rent allowances. In comparison, general labourers earned about £46 per year, a railwayman about £43, and a shop assistant £20. In the higher bracket, a bank manager could expect about £400 per annum, and yet a music hall performer could earn more than £520 per year.

Rent and rates were high in comparison with wages, and household accounts showed the regular purchase of lamp oil, washing soda, firewood, sticks, candles, black lead and scrubbing bushes to be much in demand.

A loaf of bread cost 3d, a pint of milk 1shilling 2 pence, a pound of cheese 5d, sugar 1 shilling 4 pence. Coffee was deemed very expensive at 1 shilling, and tea even worse at 1s 5d. Newspapers also varied in price from 1/2d to 1d. And seats at the local theatre would cost anything from 6d to 4 shillings.

Admission to the zoo cost 6d and a ride in a Hackney Carriage would set you back about 9d per mile, with tram fares about 3d for a journey from the suburbs to the city centre. Horse tram fares were much cheaper but were soon phased out by the introduction of trams powered by overhead electricity.

Many people used a variety of community based clubs and co-operatives in order to purchase essential materials such as boots, clothing and regular supplies.

Appendix 2: Self Education for the Police, 1899

This valuable document contained within my great grandfather’s prized possessions was just a small but essential booklet entitled ‘Self Education for the Police.’

It is about the size of a pocket notebook with the title established in gold lettering on a black background. The first and last few inside pages are produced on a bright yellow coloured paper, with the following pages and main text printed on pale yellow and crème format material. 

There are an amazing one hundred and forty-two pages in total, which make for both fascinating and amusing reading, with interesting comparison to a past long forgotten.

The book was compiled by a Mr H.Childs F.R.H.S., who surprisingly is listed in the book as a trained certified schoolmaster. 

It was first published at the office of the ‘Police Review & Parade Gossip,’ at 18 Catherine Street, Strand, London WC in 1899, and printed by A. Hudson & Co, Wandsworth Road, London SW.

This book was heralded as a new and revised edition. It is basically a police rulebook of the day, with twenty-four suggested skeleton reports and further tests and suggestions for dealing with a whole range of expected scenarios to help prepare and guide any rookie and totally bewildered policeman.

The index for the reports reflects and discusses a variety of matters pertinent to that developing era including: -

A collision between an omnibus and hansom cab, the removal of a lunatic, an obstruction of public gathering outside a hall, a fatal accident on ice, a horse taken ill, an accident to the driver of an omnibus, accident relating to a defective coal shoot, a man knocked down by a cyclist, man bitten by a dog, false alarm of fire, the searching of a servant’s box and various forms of suicides and other imponderable misadventures.

In addition, it includes sections on special self-examination questions about the law; plus spelling tests; difficult words that are pronounced alike, or nearly alike, but are different in meaning; catchy words taken from previous examination papers for the purposes of revision; challenging dictation tests, and arithmetic.

The new policeman at the turn of the century was obviously expected to be a highly proficient and knowledgeable citizen - much respected within his local community. It was demanded by his employers, that he should be able to take charge of a number of potentially volatile and everyday situations, and be able to act on his own initiative, as assistance in those days was often delayed and initially only summoned by use of a wooden rattle, then later police whistle.

The depth of information within the ‘Self Education for the Police’ book confirmed all the expectations and demanding duties of a police officer. 

The special examination questions were very challenging to say the least, but once learnt were probably never forgotten and this book fast became an essential aid and a ‘Bobbies Bible’ for all occasions, confirming both the law of the land and a policeman’s’ responsibilities, with, and to the general public.

The book included many sets of tests, revisions and what to do about general situations involving: - burglary, common assault, the serving of beer & spirits, alarm of fire, a wandering lunatic, murder, prostitution, house-breaking, fireworks, locomotives, vehicles on the highway, annoyance by a horse dealer, the arrest of a Peer or MP, and a host of other important and essential matters.

In total, it contained a couple of dozen reports of lessons, and the same amount of special examination questions. The arithmetic tests too were demanding and included detailed sections on numeration, notation, subtraction, division, multiplication, weights & measures, compound fractions and many more. 

Special emphasis was given at that time to studying a variety of everyday weights and measures, in addition to the common currency. 

The most notable weights & measures used in 1899 related to: - Avoirdupois weight – drams. Ounces, pounds, quarters, stones, hundredweights and tons; long measures - feet, inches, yards, poles furlongs, chains, fathoms, nautical miles or knots; troy weights – grains, pennyweights, ounces, pounds etc; cloth measure – inches, nails, quarters, yards. 

Apothecaries weights – grains, scruples, drams, ounces and pounds; square measures – of square inches, feet, feet, yards, poles, perches, roods, rods, acres and square miles; cubic measures – yards, feet and inches; dry measures – gills, pints, quarts, gallons, pecks, bushels, quarters and loads; coal & coke measures – pecks, bushels, sacks and chaldrons; time – seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, years, century etc; paper measure – sheets, quires, reams, bale; and liquid measures – gills, pints, quarts, gallons, firkin, kildergerkin, barrel, hogshead, butt and an anker of wine.

Knowledge of these tables helped officers to quickly deal with any potential disputes for trading, deliveries or supply, and generally related to coal and coke, or those of an alcoholic nature.

Within the book, there were about twelve questions per lesson and each individual test for the officer consisted of a fully written skeleton report, special examination questions, spelling, word memory test, catchy word recognition, dictation, and an arithmetic test.

The dictation part alone was a real challenge and the author confirmed: ‘You should get someone to read this to you once, and then to dictate it at a fairly sharp rate, saying each piece twice.’ 

The editorial also contained a stark warning that more than three errors would be a ‘failure.’ The copy was often complicated and irrelevant but required much effort to study and repeat accurately each time.

Spelling, English and vocabulary, similarly to knowledge of mathematical tables was considered of vital importance; hence the preparation of editorial matters by a qualified schoolmaster. The book provided explanations and comparisons for words ending in ‘sion,’ and both the spelling and understanding of others words such as succeed, exceed and proceed.

There was also much debate, reference and equal examination to many similar sounding words, e.g., dying/dyeing, draft/draught, yew/you, place/plaice, pennants/penance, plane/plain, pitied/pitted, perjure/purgur etc.

The original author stated that the most effective way for adults to learn the spelling sets was by writing the words as often as possible. He provided some regularly used key examples of the day such as: - gigantic, tyrannic, historic, barbaric, alcoholic, patriotic, chronic, sympathetic, caustic, sceptic etc.

I have detailed some interesting key examples taken from the special skeleton police incident reports at the turn of the century from a fascinating generous index, they include, amongst others: -

Lesson 1. Collision between an omnibus and a hansom cab. 

The horse in the hansom cab is injured and afterwards has to be killed…the report suggest how the police officer should record the incident.

It begins: I beg to report that at …. (pm) .... inst, a collision occurred at the junction of …. (street or road) and …. (road or thoroughfare), between omnibus …. (plate no) …. (driver’s badge no) .... (conductor’s badge number) .... (hansom cab no) .... (plate no) ….. (driver’s badge no) ....

The collision was caused by the driver of latter vehicle turning too sharply from…. (street)…. into ….. (street) and colliding with former vehicle before the driver could pull out of the way, The horse attached to hansom cab was thrown down, breaking both fore-legs.

I immediately sent for Mr …. (name). The veterinary surgeon of …. (address), who on arrival, caused the animal to be slaughtered and removed. I sent information of the occurrence to …. (name), of ….. (address), the owner of the horse and hansom cab, and at … (pm), men in his employ attended and removed the cab.

In the meantime, with the assistance of PC …. (number) …. I diverted traffic by way of  ….. (street or road), and ….. (street or road). At …. (pm), the traffic resumed its normal course. No other damage or casualties. Witnessed, and no expenses incurred by PC …. Reporting. Name .… Date ….

Lesson VI. A PC has been called to a private house where a person has been assaulted. 

State fully what steps should be taken (* This is also marked as an examination question). The skeleton report begins…. PC …. No ……(name), reports that at  …. (am) …. inst …. he was called by …. (name) …. (address) .… to a private house . … (address) …. by ….. (name). ….a lodger in the same house had assaulted him with an umbrella.

There being no marks of violence PC  …. referred the complaint to a Magistrate for a summons.

Some other examples with pre-written reports are: -

Lesson VIII. PC called to a private house to assist in the removal of a lunatic to the Infirmary.

(* Marked as an examination question). PC …. (no) …. (name) …., reports that at …. (pm) …. Inst, while passing (number) …. (address), parish of  …. (name), the relieving officer for the District called him and asked for his assistance in the removal of  …. (name), a lunatic, from above address to … (Infirmary) …. (street or road), as he could not manage him himself.

PC being shown the order for the order for above removal immediately assisted, and the lunatic was conveyed in four-wheeled cab, plate no …. (driver’s badge no) …. to the above Infirmary, where he was placed under restraint.

Lesson XIV. Horse suddenly taken ill in the street.

PC …. (no) …. (name) …., reports that at …. (time) …. (date) …. While on duty in …. (street or road), his attention was called to a horse attached to a cart, owned and driven by …. (name and address). The horse, which was in good condition and bore no marks of ill usage, had been taken suddenly ill while passing along the above street, and appeared to be in great pain.

PC sent for …. (Veterinary surgeon) …. (address) ….who stated that animal was suffering from cramp in the stomach. No blame was attached to the driver. In a short time, the animal was sufficiently recovered to be taken home by owner (as above). Witnessed by PC … (no) …. Expenses incurred, owner paying veterinary surgeon.

Lesson XV. PC injured on duty.

I beg to report that at … pm …. Inst, while on duty in … (street or road), parish of …. I heard shouts of ‘stop him’ and saw a horse attached to a light spring cart, with a bicycle entangled in the near side wheel, being driven at a furious rate along the above road.

I immediately called upon the driver to stop, and ran into the roadway and held up my hands with a view to stopping the horse; but the driver whipped the horse and urged it on. I then endeavoured to catch hold of the reigns and, in doing so, was knocked down, the near wheel of the cart passing over my left leg, thereby injuring the same.

The horse was stopped by PC …. (no) …. (name) …..  when it was found that the driver … (name)…. (age) …. of (address) …. Was drunk, and that he had previously collided with a bicycle belonging to …. (name) …. (address) …. Which had been left standing by the kerb in above thoroughfare, the owner of which machine had immediately pursued the cart, and cried out ‘stop him!’

The driver was then taken into custody by PC …. (as above), and charged with being drunk and furiously driving to the common danger of the public, thereby causing actual bodily harm to myself. I was subsequently seen by the Divisional Surgeon, who certified me to be suffering from severe bruises to left leg, and directed me to be placed on the sick list.

Lesson XIX. 

A fatal accident occurs through a defective coal-shoot, and while proceeding to the spot, cries of ‘murder’ are heard proceeding from the third floor of a house in the same street. What steps would you take?

PC …. (no)…. (name) …. Reports that at …. (pm) … inst, while on duty in …. (street or road), parish of …. (name), he was informed by …. (name)…. of (place), that a man had fallen over a coal-shoot in front of  …. (address), and while proceeding there, he heard cries of ‘murder’ coming from the third floor of No …. (same street).

PC …. (no) …. (name) …. Coming up at the time, was directed by PC reporting to see the injured man while he entered the house where the cries proceeded from, and on entering a room on third floor found …. (name), the former being drunk. On being questioned by PC, the wife stated that her husband, being drunk and quarrelsome, having threatened to strike her, she had screamed ‘murder’ to frighten him.

Seeing that no breach of the peace was likely to happen, PC left the premises and proceeded to …. (hospital), and on enquiring of the house surgeon respecting the injured man, as above, was told that he had several ribs broken, and had died shortly after admission from severe shock to the system.

Body now in hospital mortuary to await inquest. On the body was found a card bearing the following name and address …. (name) …. (address). Friends and Coroner’s office informed. Body subsequently identified by his wife. Owner of coal-shoot seen, who stated that coals had been delivered at his house that day, and that the plate must have been insecurely fastened, but was thoroughly secure now.

Lesson XXI.  A man carrying a plank on his shoulder, while crossing a street is knocked down by a bicyclist. State steps taken.

 PC …. (no) ….(name) …. Reports that at …. (time) …. (date) …. finding …. (name) …. (age) …. of …. (address) …. labourer in the employ of Messrs …. (name & address), builders, lying on the pavement in …. (street or road), parish of  …. (name), bleeding from a wound on the right hand side of his head and suffering from an injury to his right shoulder.

PC at once sent to station for ambulance and conveyed him to …. (hospital), where he was seen by Dr …. (name), house surgeon, who stated that he was suffering from a severe scalp wound and dislocated right shoulder, and detained him in bed …. (no) …. (ward) … (name).

The injured man stated that as he was crossing the above street with a plank on his shoulder, he was knocked down by a bicycle, rider unknown, who rode away at a furious pace in the direction of …. (place), and he was unable to give any description of him. PC made enquiries in the neighbourhood but was unable to find anyone who witnessed the occurrence. Friends and employer informed, and no expenses incurred by PC reporting.

Lesson XXIII.  PC called by a lady, who wished him to search the box of a servant, whom she suspects has stolen some linen.

PC …. (no) …. (name) …. Reports that at …. (time) …. (date), while on duty in …. (street or road) …. (parish or district), he was called by Mrs …. (name) of same street, who requested him to search a box, which was standing in the hall, belonging to …. (name), who was just leaving her employ, and whom she suspected had stolen some table cloths, pillow cases and table napkins and had hidden them in the box (as above). PC informed complainant that he had no authority to comply with her request, and referred her to a Magistrate; but advised her to ascertain, if possible, where the box was to be conveyed, in case of future proceedings.

Some of the special examination questions too were designed to test the policeman’s knowledge of everyday situations. I have enjoyed reviewing a selection of the tests in the book and have selected twenty questions relevant to that period. They include: - 

1). What must the damage to shrubs in a garden amount to before you could arrest?

2). What age must a person be before a publican can serve him with sprits, to be consumed on the premises? Also beer?

3). If you found a person insensible in the street, what steps would you take?

4). If you found the door of a dwelling house open at night, what would you do?

5). If several persons complained to you of great annoyance caused by a man employed at a horse dealer’s close by. What would you do?

6). What do you mean by ‘night?’

7). If the conductor of a tramcar called you to a man who refused to pay his fare, which he said he had already done, but could produce no ticket, what steps would you take?

8). During which time is a bicyclist bound to have his lamp alight?

9). If a person is committing a nuisance in a public thoroughfare, what is necessary before you can arrest?

10). During what time is a locomotive prohibited from passing through the streets of the Metropolis?

11). After what length of time, dating from time of injuries received, cannot a person be charged with ‘murder?’

12). How many vehicles may one person, at one time, drive along a highway, before chargeable, and under what conditions?

13). What is a ‘Common Lodging House?’

14). If you saw a woman whom you know to be a prostitute accost a gentleman in the street and could not hear what she said, but saw him waive her away with his hand, what steps would you take? And if you saw her repeat it, what would you do?

15). If a lodger in a house commits suicide, and the occupier wishes you to remove the dead body to the mortuary, would you do so?

16). What steps would you take if the landlord of a public house wanted to give a person into custody for refusing to quit?

17). At what time must an unlicensed refreshment house close?

18). If a person wished to bring an action against the police what must he or she do first? And after what lapse of time would it not be valid?

19). If you were on duty and saw an omnibus driver stop on a crossing would you order the driver to pull up higher, or what would you do?

20). If a person offered you the keys of his premises, which are on your beat, and requested you to go in occasionally to see that all was safe, what would you do?

In the latter part of the book and due to the economic and political climate of the time, the policeman was urgently required to have specific knowledge of many key issues that could occur during the course of everyday duties. Some of these included: -

1). For what offences can a Peer or MP and their servants be arrested?

2). When can an Ambassador or suite be arrested?

3). Can a private person arrest? If so, when and when not?

 Incidentally, I found these latter three questions quite intriguing from that period.

The answers were in fact (1). For treason, felony and breach of the peace. (2). For an attempt on the life of a Sovereign. (3). When a felony is being committed, and he sees it taking place, or sees a dangerous wound given. If under 21-years of age, he cannot arrest.

A felony was described as follows: - Felony is a more serious offence than misdemeanour and includes murder and attempts to murder and maim, rape, manslaughter, robbery and attempted robbery, burglary and housebreaking, cattle, horse and sheep stealing, receiving stolen goods, embezzlement, arson, nearly all cases of forging and coining, and assaults when armed.

Fortunately for most officers and for my own purposes of research, the answers were contained at the back of this book, together with all mathematical tables. 

 

• If you have enjoyed the contents of this booklet, you might also enjoy the original book – Secrets of the Royal Detective (now available on Amazon Kindle), or the revised edition available as a paperback book and/or via download from Amazon Kindle entitled – Manchester Thieftakers – Policing in Victorian & Edwardian Manchester 1825-1914 by Don Hale.