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City of London Corporation
The London Archives

City of London Police - records of Police Officers

Research Guide
city-of-london-police-officers

1. About this guide

This guide provides an overview of the records of City of London Police officers from 1832 to the modern day. Records for the Metropolitan Police are held at The National Archives (TNA).

2. What do I need to know?

The City of London Police was established in 1839 by the City of London Police Act. Prior to this, the City of London had various types of policing dating back to the 17th century, including marshals, extra constables, and the Nightly Watch. In 1831 the City Day Police was created, and in 1838 they were merged with the Nightly Watch to create the Day Police and Nightly Watch. A Commissioner of Police was given responsibility for the day-to-day running of the force, and the Police Committee of the Court of Common Council was given responsibility for supplying and equipping the force.

3. Records at The London Archives

Warrant books

From 1832 onwards, warrant books (reference code CLA/048/AD/01/825-826) were kept for City of London Police personnel. The books are indexed alphabetically, and act as a register of new recruits. They list the name, age, marital status, date of joining, collar number, and division to which a recruit was assigned, and the date and reason for leaving.

Personnel files for police officers

The main series of personnel files starting from 1832 are organised alphabetically by surname (reference codes CLA/048/AD/01 and CLA/048/AD/02). The files are not comprehensive, but up to 95% are believed to survive. A file typically consists of:

  • Declaration or application form, (including address of the applicant, parish of birth, parents' names and addresses, and physical description)
  • Previous military, police or railway service
  • Previous occupation and employment
  • From around 1860 onwards, a printed record of service, list of rewards and commendations, and injuries received on duty
  • Copies of birth and marriage certificates and pension details
  • For those who left the police temporarily to join the armed forces during the First and Second World Wars, the military unit in which they served

The City of London Police personnel files are in the process of being indexed and only some of them are available to order via the Collections Catalogue as some are closed to comply with the data protection legislation. Please email ask@tla.libanswers.com if you would like to view a personnel file.

Other City of London Police staff personnel files

There are also personnel files for other City of London police staff including:

  • Civilians (reference code CLA/048/AD/03)
  • Special Constabulary (reference code CLA/048/AD/04)
  • Police war reserve (reference code CLA/048/AD/05)
  • Police cadet corps (reference code CLA/048/AD/06)

Court of Aldermen

After 1815 the repertories (reference code COL/CA/01) and the printed minutes (COL/CA/03) of the Court of Aldermen occasionally list newly appointed constables. After 1839 they also contain regular lists of extra constables employed for private service (ie as extra security for local businesses, the Stock Exchange etc), in addition to the annually authorised establishment of the force. The repertories also contain occasional references to financial rewards to constables for particularly meritorious conduct.

The minutes of the Police Committee of the Court of Aldermen 1825 to 1843 (reference code COL/CA/PLA/01) contain some references to recruits and promotions.

Court of Common Council

From 1839 the minutes of the Police Committee of the Court of Common Council (reference code COL/CC/PLC) mention allowances granted to disabled constables and constables' widows, along with increases in superannuation allowances to retired constables. Occasionally they also contain information on police officers injured on duty, complaints, resignations, and the award of medals. These minutes are particularly useful when a personnel file does not survive, as they can confirm the age, length of service, and rank of a police officer.

Indexes to the printed minutes of the Court of Common Council 1811 to 1949 (reference code COL/CC/04/04) do occasionally mention names in relation to widows' and disability pensions granted by the Court.

Please see the City of London Corporation: administrative records research guide for more information on the records of the Court of Aldermen and Court of Common Council.

4. Records held elsewhere

The records for the Metropolitan Police are held by The National Archives (TNA), with some divisional records held elsewhere. Please see TNA’s summary of places that hold Metropolitan Police records.

5. Further reading

Our reference library has books which can help provide more information on the City of London Police, including:

Square Mile Bobbies: the City of London Police, 1839-1949 by Stephen Wade – shelf mark 21.24 WAD