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| Pembrokeshire Constabulary | |
|---|---|
| Agencyname | Pembrokeshire Constabulary |
| Formed | 1836 |
| Dissolved | 1969 |
| Superseding | Dyfed-Powys Police |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Countryabbr | UK |
| Divtype | County |
| Divname | Pembrokeshire |
Pembrokeshire Constabulary was the territorial police force responsible for policing Pembrokeshire in Wales from 1836 until 1969. Established amid nineteenth-century reforms such as the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 and the County Police Act 1839, the force operated alongside local authorities including Haverfordwest Borough Police and served towns like Tenby, Milford Haven, and Pembroke Dock. Throughout its existence the Constabulary interacted with national institutions including the Home Office (United Kingdom), the Metropolitan Police, and regional forces such as Cardiganshire Constabulary and Carmarthenshire Constabulary.
The Constabulary was created during the wave of Victorian policing reforms following the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 and the debates featuring figures like Robert Peel and institutions such as the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Early leadership paralleled developments in forces including the Metropolitan Police Service and the County and Borough Police Act 1856, which mandated professional standards mirrored by Pembrokeshire. The nineteenth century saw challenges linked to industrial ports at Milford Haven and naval facilities at Pembroke Dock, drawing attention from Admiralty (United Kingdom) and prompting coordination with the Royal Navy and HM Customs and Excise. In the early twentieth century the Constabulary adapted to changes exemplified by legislation including the Police Act 1919 and the impacts of the First World War and Second World War on personnel and policing priorities. Postwar reorganisation debates involving the Home Office (United Kingdom) and regional administrations culminated in the 1969 amalgamation into Dyfed-Powys Police, a move influenced by reports from bodies like the Royal Commission on the Police.
Administration of the force reflected county structures anchored in the offices of the Pembrokeshire County Council and the Lord Lieutenant of Pembrokeshire. Chief officers liaised with national officials at the Home Office (United Kingdom) and counterparts in forces such as Glamorgan Constabulary and Monmouthshire Police. The Constabulary maintained records coordinated with repositories like the National Archives (United Kingdom) and regional archives including the Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies. Oversight mechanisms included magistrates at the Haverfordwest Crown Court and inspection regimes shaped by recommendations from figures associated with the Royal Commission on the Police. Administrative changes during the twentieth century reflected trends in public administration seen in institutions like the Local Government Act 1972 discussions, affecting funding models and inter-force collaboration with entities such as British Transport Police for transport policing.
Geographically the Constabulary covered the county of Pembrokeshire, policing urban centres including Haverfordwest, Milford Haven, Fishguard, and Tenby, and rural districts such as Narberth and St Davids. Marine and port policing needs required coordination with agencies like HM Coastguard, Port of Milford Haven authorities, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The force was organised into divisions and sectors mirroring local government wards and parliamentary constituencies such as Pembrokeshire (historic constituency), liaising with parish authorities and institutions like St Davids Cathedral for civic events. Policing of railways and stations involved cooperation with the Great Western Railway and later British Railways.
Operationally the Constabulary responded to incidents ranging from maritime disasters near St Bride's Bay to industrial disputes at the Milford Haven oil terminal. Notable historical interactions included investigations linked to naval activities at Pembroke Dock Royal Dockyard and the policing of civic disturbances influenced by labour movements connected with organisations like the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers and the National Union of Mineworkers. High-profile criminal investigations brought coordination with central units such as the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and occasionally referrals to the Director of Public Prosecutions (England and Wales). During wartime the Constabulary worked with agencies including the Home Guard, Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom), and civil defence organisations for air-raid precautions and wartime security. Significant incidents recorded in local press like the Western Telegraph and national outlets such as The Times (London) attracted public scrutiny and parliamentary questions in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom.
Equipment and transport reflected eras from horse patrols to motorised units; early assets paralleled supplies used by the Metropolitan Police Service while twentieth-century fleets included vehicles from manufacturers such as Ford Motor Company and Austin (car company). Marine operations relied on launches comparable to craft used by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and coordination with HM Coastguard vessels. Communications technology progressed from telegraph and police call boxes to radio systems influenced by developments at the Post Office (United Kingdom) and standards adopted nationally under Home Office guidance. Forensic support used techniques and references common to services like the Metropolitan Police Forensic Science Laboratory.
Rank structure followed British policing norms with positions such as Chief Constable, Superintendent, Inspector, Sergeant, and Constable, consistent with ranks in forces like Glamorgan Constabulary and Cardiganshire Constabulary. Recruitment drew locally from towns such as Haverfordwest and Milford Haven, and training referenced academies and manuals similar to those used by the Metropolitan Police and regional training at institutions later associated with College of Policing. During the world wars many officers were seconded to services including the Royal Navy Reserve and British Army; veteran officers received recognition comparable to awards from the King's Police and Fire Services Medal.
The Constabulary's records, personnel traditions, and operational practices were integrated into Dyfed-Powys Police in 1969 following statutory consolidation influenced by reviews from bodies like the Royal Commission on the Police and policy debates in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom. Historic documents are preserved in collections at the National Archives (United Kingdom) and the Pembrokeshire Archives and Local Studies, informing scholarship by historians who reference works related to Victorian era policing and studies of regional policing in Wales. The force's legacy persists in memorials, museum collections at local institutions such as the Pembroke Dock Heritage Centre, and in the institutional memory of successor organisations including Dyfed-Powys Police and collaborations with national bodies like the College of Policing.
Category:Defunct police forces of Wales