Early history As early as 1786,
watchmen were paid to patrol the streets at night, although this seems to have lapsed on occasion. Special constables were sworn in when required. In 1812, Joseph Chirm was the "Head Borough Constable".
Birmingham Town Police Following
Chartist rioting in 1839, when one hundred police had to be brought from London, an
Act of Parliament was passed on 26 August 1839 "for improving the Police in Birmingham". Birmingham was required to have at least 250 constables and 50 officers, The Birmingham force came into being on 20 November 1839 with 260 men.
Francis Burgess, a local barrister, was appointed as the first police commissioner for Birmingham. On 12 August 1842 a new Police Act transferred responsibility to the Birmingham Town Council and another removed doubts as to the authority of the council.
Birmingham City Police When Birmingham became a city in 1889 the town police became the Birmingham City Police.
World War I Five hundred and seventy one officers from Birmingham City Police served in the military during
World War I, of whom 50 were killed. All 571 are named on a memorial which is located in
Lloyd House, the headquarters of the BCP's successor, the West Midlands Police, and on an accompanying website. == Band ==