Kent Police
Template:Infobox UK Police Kent Police is the Home Office police force responsible for policing Kent in England, including the unitary authority of Medway.
Area and organisation
The force
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covers an area of 1,443 square miles with an approximate population of 1.6 million. Kent Police has an establishment of 3,590 police officers, 2,370 police staff, 329 Special Constables and 58 Police Community Support Officers. The Chief Constable since 2004 is Michael Fuller QPM. and is the first Afro-Caribbean to hold such a position.
Due to the Channel Tunnel, Kent Police is unique among English forces in having a police station outside the country in Coquelles, France, staffed by Kent officers. The cross channel traffic occasionally causes the Kent Police and the Highways Agency to enforce Operation Stack, controlling the freight flow on that part of the M20 motorway closest to the Ports.
Proposals made by the Home Secretary on March 20, 2006 would see the force stay as a standalone strategic force for Kent and Medway. [1]
Kent Police Authority has 9 councillors (7 from Kent County Council, and 2 from Medway Borough Council), 3 Justices of the Peace, and 5 independent members.
History
On January 14 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 November 23 1860 where the force purchased it for £1,200[1].
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 recognizable Custodian helmet was introduced to the Kent force.
On April 1, 1889, Kent County Constabulary was merged with five of the fourteen other police forces that occupied Kent County at the time. The remaining nine were merged on April 1 1943. Meanwhile, Ruxton retired on August 14 1894, to die on April 20, 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, 8 motorcycles had also been introduced, with 19 more were bought in 1931 along with one police car. The constabulary still employed horses until the last retired in 1943.