Kent Police - History

History

On 14 January 1857, a 222-strong Kent County Constabulary was formed under Chief Constable John Henry Hay Ruxton. The first headquarters was at Wrens Cross, Stone Street, Maidstone, and was rented for use by the police until 23 November 1860 where the force purchased it for £1,200.

Also in 1860, the initial uniform of a frock coat and a high hat was replaced by a long uniform tunic and shako hat, and constables were issued with a rattle and truncheon. In 1885 whistles were introduced, and in 1897 the recognisable custodian helmet was introduced to the Kent force.

On 1 April 1889, Kent County Constabulary absorbed five of the fourteen other police forces that policed the county of Kent at the time. The remaining nine were absorbed on 1 April 1943. Ruxton retired on 14 August 1894 and died on 20 April 1897.

In terms of mobilisation and communication, Kent Constabulary purchased 20 bicycles in 1896, a number which rose to 129 by 1904. Telephones were given to village police officers in 1925, and by 1930, eight motorcycles had also been introduced, with 19 more bought in 1931 along with one police car. The constabulary still employed horses until 1943, when the last was retired.

In 1965, the force had an establishment of 1,988 officers and an actual strength of 1,766, making it the third largest county force in Great Britain.

Kent County Constabulary kept this name until the 1990s, when it changed its name to Kent Police, the last British force to keep the word "county" in its official title. Although still unpopular with many residents of Kent, the change was considered necessary because it was thought that the large number of visitors coming through the channel tunnel and the ports would understand the word "Police" more readily than "Constabulary".

The Kent Police headquarters are currently located at Sutton Road, Maidstone. Kent Police College is located to the rear of the headquarters site.