100 Years Of Service

Service

A very glossy book that has been labelled with policeman like terminology, “Centenary Brochure,” is one of the ways in which the New South Wales Police Force is celebrating its centenary year of 1962.

The Force, as it exists to day, was created by the Police Regulations Act of 1862, but Forces of various other kinds did in fact exist before that.

Governor Phillip, soon after the arrival of the First Fleet ap pointed a “night watch patrol ” from amongst the ranks of the best-behaved convicts, and as time went on, much more regu lar groups emerged—sometimes under the control of the Mili tary and latterly under the individual control of specially appointed Police Magistrates.

But if the basis of the Force is still the same, its functions have changed and increased mightily. The bushranger, the biggest menace to law and order in 1862, seems a simple prob lem against the involved back ground of 100 years later, but if criminals have become more ingenious and sophisticated with the years, police methods have grown to match. More over, their functions have ex tended far beyond the simple business of protecting property and apprehending criminals.

This Centenary book will be of particular interest to police men everywhere but it will also be of value to historians. Some of the old photographs that are used to illustrate it are quite remarkable. Compiler and edi tor is Sergeant L. E. Hoban, MBE. Detective Sergeant L. J.

Foley of the CIS has also con tributed a great deal. (Our copy from the NSW Police Department.)