X John BROOMEDear Rita,Thank you for your nicely worded request forinformation concerning John, you would besurprised how many enquires we get from people whonever say please or thank you, but first I have topoint out a few things. Sadly we do not have aphotograph, but if you do we would appreciate ascanned copy for our records.The Cheshire Constabulary was formed in April1857; there are many thousands of records, theseare held by the Cheshire Record Office, Chester. Ias a retired Police officer and voluntary PoliceMuseum Researcher 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; the informationwhich you seek would therefore be recorded inVolumes 1 and 2. Marriage records are retained inCJP24/2, 1847-1966; however, his marriage is notrecorded. Pension records are held underCJP20/2/1, 1857-1965, and with him being recordedas "Death in Service" he name does not appear inthis register.I say all this because I want to try and reassureyou that all relevant records have been searchedand what I have given you is as it appears in therespective volumes. However if you so wish, youcan of course have the records confirmed by theChester Records Office Archivist. But it would beremiss of me if I did not point out that whilstthis Museum works on a donation basis, (madepayable to the Museum of Policing in Cheshire).The Record Office however, will charge you aminimum of £27 per search per volume; thereforeyour total bill would be £81, so please be aware.If you also read the history of the CheshireConstabulary "To the Best of Our Skill andKnowledge" which is on the Museum Web Site, I feelcertain that a useful picture can be obtained oflife in the force at the time, my own opinion isthat discipline was severe and those who strayedoutside the rules were fined way above what theyearned or dismissed. Also the restrictions ontheir private life, an officer was not allowed todrink on or off duty even in his own home. It allcomes down to the fact that up until the 1960'severy Chief Constable of Cheshire was an exmilitary officer and they of course brought withthem the military codes of practice.You will also have note that John had 6 yearsprior service with Manchester Borough Police andtherefore there may be further information held bythe Greater Manchester Police Museum and also 2years with the Old Cheshire Police Force, that isto say that he had become one of the firstofficers to join the new force in April 1857.I trust what follows will be of assistance to youand can I ask you when you get a moment would yousend a quick mail so I can mark of your enquiry ascompleted. If you have any further questionsplease don't hesitate to contact me. Jim Talbot.Trustee and Researcher, Cheshire Museum ofPolicing.Collar Number/Rank. PC 12 John BROOME.Born. Circa 1830, Over, Peover. Cheshire.Date of Entry. 20 April 1857.Date of Leaving. 17 July 1869.Final Date of Leaving. 17 July 1869How Discharged. Death in Service.Initial Posting. Bucklow, Cheshire.Other Postings and Dates. No recorded.Miscellaneous Information. Subject has 6 yearsprior service with Manchester Borough Police. 2years Cheshire Old Force. Died 17 July 1869,Gratuity of £50 to his Widow Granted at theOctober Sessions 1869. Religion. Protestant.Height 5' 8", Aged 27 years (on joining). GreyEyes, Light Brown Hair, Fresh Complexion,Proportional Build.Promotion/Misconduct.Awards/Good Conduct/Other information. 09 May 1857Drunkenness, Reprimanded and fined 5/-. 22November 1859 Found by Inspector Dalgliesh verymuch intoxicated and unfit for duty. To be removedto another Station (Peover) at his own expense.Pay 01 May 1858 increase from 19/- to 20/- perweek. 12/1866 21/- pw.The Curator, Museum of Policing in Cheshire,Warrington Police Station, Arpley Street,Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1LQ