| Description | These records relate to staff employed by the Derbyshire Constabulary only (not the Borough Police). The key personnel records for police officers are the descriptive registers 1857-1930, which record policemen's dates of starting and leaving the force, personal details and summary information about commendations, sickness and misconduct. Transfers between divisions were not recorded in the descriptive registers, but can be found within order books under D3376/A/2 (as the officer was 'ordered' to move to a different district); from 1937 a separate set of order books was kept to record staff transfers etc. (see D3376/A/2/3).
Detailed reports about a police officer's misconduct were recorded in disciplinary report books within each division. The information was also sent to the Chief Constable, where the details were recorded centrally (see D3376/A/3/3). In the 1960s, a separate system appears to have been instituted to record complaints by members of the public about police officers (see D3376/A/3/2), with records again held both by the division and then a copy sent to the Chief Constable to be recorded at Headquarters. For divisional disciplinary report books, check within the divisional records in D3376/B.
Vacancy books record the names and details of officers leaving the force and those newly appointed. A count of the force strength (total number of police officers) was routinely recorded in these volumes.
In the 19th century, anyone accepted in the police force of the Derbyshire Constabulary would have to complete an attestation form, provide suitable references, and sign the conditions of service. A few examples of these forms survive as personnel files (see D3376/A/3/6).
When a police officer left the force, this would be recorded against his record in the descriptive register and registered in the vacancy book. Men who resigned (rather than being dismissed) would be given a certificate of character / discharge, for which a couple of stub books survive. Long-serving officers would often receive testimonials, originally cash, but later more likely to be in the form of a written testimonial or gift. These were recorded in a register of testimonials. See D3376/A/3/4 for records of leaving and deceased police officers, including rolls of honour.
Injuries received on duty are recorded in the descriptive registers. A single sick list for 1938-1944 also survives (D3376/A/3/7/1). |
| Administrative History | Police Constables, were graded from fourth to first class, with a rise in pay as they rose up the grades. Punishment for misconduct usually meant a drop in one or two classes, a drop in pay and a transfer. Transfers came at the officer's expense, and involved being sent to anywhere in the county. The first woman to join the Derbyshire Constabulary was Edna Lucy Birkin, who joined the service in 1939, working as a Detective Constable for most of her career. By the time she retired, in 1964, there were twelve female constables and two female sergeants. |