X Samuel JOHNSONDear Joan,Thank you for your nicely worded request forinformation concerning Samuel you would besurprised how many enquires we get from people whonever say please or thank you, and yes withoutdoubt we would like a copy of Samuels photograph.The Cheshire Constabulary was formed in April1857; there are many thousands of records, theseare held by the Cheshire Record Office, Chester.As a retired Police officer and voluntary PoliceMuseum Researcher I am slowly extracting theserecords. Cheshire Police Officer Enrolment Recordsare held under Reference CJP7 Volumes 1-5. Thesefive volumes are very large and in poor condition,run from 1857- 22 March 1913; these and otherrecords have been checked and Samuel does notappear as a member of the Cheshire Constabulary,however other records show that he was a member ofthe Stockport Borough Police, this being anindependent police force between 1870 and 1967, ofcourse prior to 1870 Stockport was indeed policedby the Cheshire Constabulary. Records appertainingto Stockport Borough Police officers are veryscarce but we are lucky to have Samuels.I say all this because I want to try and reassureyou that what I give you is as it appears in therespective volume. However if you so wish, you canof course have the records confirmed by theChester Records Office Archivist. But it would beremiss of me if I did not point out that TheRecord Office will charge you a minimum of £27 persearch per volume; if you are unable to forwardthe photograph via email would you sent it to TheCurator, Mr. Peter Wroe, Museum of Policing inCheshire, Warrington Police Station, ArpleyStreet, Warrington, Cheshire. WA1.1LQ. wouldkindly add a note stating it is for my attentionJim Talbot, in order that I can marry up it upwith this report.If you also read the history of the CheshireConstabulary "To the Best of Our Skill andKnowledge" which is on the Museum Web Site, underthe drop down menu marked 'History' this containsa great deal of information regarding Stockport, Ifeel certain that a useful picture can be obtainedof life in the force at the time, my own opinionis that discipline was draconian and those whostrayed outside the rule's were fined way abovewhat they earned or dismissed, there was verylittle difference between a County and BoroughPolice officer, their pay and conditions werealmost identical. Also the restrictions on theirprivate life, an officer was not allowed to drinkon or off duty even in his own home.I trust you will enjoy what follows and can I askyou when you get a moment would you send a quickmail so I can mark of your enquiry as completed.If you have any further questions please don'thesitate to contact me.Jim Talbot. Trustee and Researcher, CheshireMuseum of Policing.Collar Number/Rank. Constable 51 Samuel JOHNSONBorn. 29th May 1864 Manchester.Date of Entry. 11th January 1889. Address onjoining given as 40 Thomson Street, Stockport.Date of Leaving. 11th January 1915.How Discharged. To pensionInitial Posting. Within the Boundary of StockportBorough onlyMiscellaneous Information. Previous OccupationWarehouseman. Previous/Last Employer A. Pearson,Chestergate, Stockport, Religion Methodist, Height5' 9", Age 25 years 7 months on 01 January 1890,Eyes Hazel, Hair Brown, Complexion Fresh, BuildProportional. Distinguishing Marks Nil. MaritalStatus, Married, Children, One. Died 30/08/1933.Promotion/Misconduct.3rd April 1890 Insubordination to the ChiefConstable, Reduced to the 5th Constable andseverely reprimanded.15th August 1893 improperly working his beat,Fined 2/- and to forfeit two days leave by orderof the Chief Constable.30th June 1894 neglecting to suppress gambling atthe Athletic Sports Club, Reprimanded by the ChiefConstable.5th May 1896 being on Licensed Premises in uniformcontrary to General Orders, Fined £1 andreprimanded by Chief Constable.7th April 1898 being on Licensed Premises inuniform contrary to General Orders, Reprimanded byChief Constable.9th August 1912 not paying special attention tothe unoccupied houses on his beat. To forfeit oneday's leave by order of the Chief Constable.1st November 1913 parading 17 minutes late forduty. Fined 9d by the Chief Constable.12th July 1889 Constable 5th class, 24th January1890 Constable 4th class, 3rd April 1890 Constable5th class, 27th June 1890 Constable 4th class,23rd January 1891 Constable 3rd class, 15th March1895 Constable 2nd class, 10th March 1899Constable 1st class. The difference classes ofConstable in essence are related to his pay i.e.the lower the number of class the higher hisweekly pay would have been.Discharged on a pension of £66. 0s. 11d per annum.Awards/Good Conduct/Other information. 3rd May1901 Merit Class.