X OUR EARLY POLICEMEN In the early nineteenth century, most areas ofEngland were gradually adapting to the effects ofthe Industrial Revolution which was transformingtheir former agricultural society. Systems whichhad worked for centuries now proved inadequate.The local constable, for instance, was electedannually by each civil parish, and he might alsobe working as a shopkeeper or farmer or at someother trade, so that he might not spend too muchtime on his constabulary duties. The attitude ofsome is illustrated by the story of the parishconstable of Taxall (then in Cheshire) who had toattend the Chester Azzizes because he had foundthe body of a murdered man. When he returned tohis inn he was told that the Ostler (Stableman)had been found dead in the privy. "Yes," he said,"I saw him dead there three hours ago, but I hadtrouble enough in fording one dead man, I'll be -if I ever find another." In 1829 Cheshire was the first county to havepaid constables, and Cheshire Constabulary wasformed in April 1857. A constable was equippedwith a whistle or rattle to summon help, atruncheon to defend himself (the History Societyhas a fine specimen of a Frodsham truncheon), anda tall hat which was sturdy enough to ward offblows and could also be stood on if the constablewanted to look over a wall. The first full-time Constabulary memberstationed at Frodsham was Richard Rowbottom, whocommenced his service here on 20th April 1849. Hewas the first resident Constable of thenewly-built police station in Frodsham. The redbrick semi-detached house still exists in RedLane, and remained the Police Station till 1880when the police moved to the building on thecorner of Main Street and Ship Street beforemoving to their present home in Ship Street. Richard Rowbottom was born in Witton in 1822 andhad already served with the Macclesfield BoroughPolice and on the North Stafford Railways as apolice constable. He left Frodsham in 1860 andafterwards served in the Wirral, Broxton, andNorthwich. Our first policeman was 5'10'' tall, with hazeleyes brown hair and a dark complexion, and hiswife's name was Eleanor. He was paid 18 shillingsa week, (plus sixpence a week boot allowance),rising to 22 shillings when he was appointedsergeant in 1857, and when he retired in 1878 hewas a Superintendent earning £192 10 shillings perannum. His pension was £192 10s. per annum. In 1859, while stationed in Frodsham he wasawarded ten shillings by the Chief Constable forhis energy and gallant capture of two thievescommitted for trial for highway robbery. The police force has continued to evolve inorganisation and equipment, but the police officerstill remains the most important element of lawenforcement. I obtained most of the information for thisarticle from the volunteers who man the Museum ofPolicing in Cheshire at the Police Office, ArpleyStreet, Warrington, WA1 1LQ. They have afascinating and very informative web site athttp:/www.museumofpolicingincheshire.org.uk. Sheila Holroyd(500 words approx)