fentonvillain Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 Last year I wrote an essay for a website : http://british-police-history.uk/cgi-bin/journal.cgi?a=a2142d42a288d075&m=ac8fa3ca90a9256f which detailed my introduction to policing in the City in 1961 as a tender-foot rookie copper in B Division, the Central Division. I'm afraid you have to be a former serving officer to join the group which hosts the website but it is an account of what it was like to be a probationer PC in the days when Bobbies walked the beat without personal radio, without Tasers, without body armour and with only their whistle, their truncheon and their wits to keep them from harm. The essay, The Beat Book, explains how the beats were arranged and worked, the part played by the ubiquitous police boxes and how discipline played such an important part of the motivation of the lonely Bobby walking darkened, silent streets by night or enjoying the joie du vivre of City Centre life in the Markets, Down The Moor and among the cutlery factories by day. The essay is available in .pdf file if the organisers of Sheffield History Forum will allow it to be published here. Or I will email it to former members of Sheffield City Police who contact me by direct message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted May 11, 2020 Share Posted May 11, 2020 Sounds great! That would be fantastic for sure! Drop me a PM and we can arrange an upload Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardS Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Sounds great!!! Look forward to it. A recommended (short) read on the subject from me would be "Whats tha' up to?" by Martyn Johnson, its been a few years since I read it but its written from a copper in the 60's 'darn t'cliffe'. (unless the poster is Martyn of course! ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fentonvillain Posted May 12, 2020 Author Share Posted May 12, 2020 No. The poster isn't Martyn but I have read his book. My essay is more factual than amusing although there are a couple of reminiscences ....and Martyn was at Attercliffe Div, not West Bar. Good read though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanB Posted May 15, 2020 Share Posted May 15, 2020 On 11/05/2020 at 16:45, fentonvillain said: Last year I wrote an essay for a website : http://british-police-history.uk/cgi-bin/journal.cgi?a=a2142d42a288d075&m=ac8fa3ca90a9256f which detailed my introduction to policing in the City in 1961 as a tender-foot rookie copper in B Division, the Central Division. I'm afraid you have to be a former serving officer to join the group which hosts the website but it is an account of what it was like to be a probationer PC in the days when Bobbies walked the beat without personal radio, without Tasers, without body armour and with only their whistle, their truncheon and their wits to keep them from harm. The essay, The Beat Book, explains how the beats were arranged and worked, the part played by the ubiquitous police boxes and how discipline played such an important part of the motivation of the lonely Bobby walking darkened, silent streets by night or enjoying the joie du vivre of City Centre life in the Markets, Down The Moor and among the cutlery factories by day. The essay is available in .pdf file if the organisers of Sheffield History Forum will allow it to be published here. Or I will email it to former members of Sheffield City Police who contact me by direct message. I also joined Sheffield City Police, 3 Jan. 1961 and was posted to 3 Div, Whitworth Lane. When I was sworn in there were two other new constables, both of whom were former cadets. One of them was posted to B Div and the other, I think, to E Div. We all went to Pannal Ash together. Perhaps you are the B Div. officer ( whose father was a Sergeant). I won't use the name here for privacy purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fentonvillain Posted May 15, 2020 Author Share Posted May 15, 2020 2 hours ago, AlanB said: I also joined Sheffield City Police, 3 Jan. 1961 and was posted to 3 Div, Whitworth Lane. When I was sworn in there were two other new constables, both of whom were former cadets. One of them was posted to B Div and the other, I think, to E Div. We all went to Pannal Ash together. Perhaps you are the B Div. officer ( whose father was a Sergeant). I won't use the name here for privacy purposes. You beat me there by 9 months. But I think I know who you are talking about. I will DM you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeadFarmer Posted July 28, 2023 Share Posted July 28, 2023 Old thread I know, but I can't find The Beat Book on the British Police History website, (I am a member) the link fentonvillain posted appears too old to work now, can anyone help please as I'd love to read it. Thanks Edit - think I've eventually found it when scrolling down the page on this link https://british-police-history.uk/cgi-bin/journal.cgi?a=a2142d42a288d075&m=02babf2012279552 And their section for Sheffield Police https://british-police-history.uk/f/sheffield-city Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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