wa forced. In 1822 the 3rd Act of George
TV Cap 103 authorized the creation of a
permanent trained police force for the whole
of Ireland, and thus began the Irish Con-
stabulary, a force of four Inspector-
Generals, 313 Chief Constables, 5,008 con-
stables. Uniformed in dark green frock coat
and trousers, shako cap, with white duck
pants for summer wear, the men were given
three months’ training at their provincial
headquarters, and the new force took over
duty from the Peace Preservation men,
county by county, as recruits were obtained
and training completed.

From the first the Constabulary met with
success. They were recruited from the
people themselves and commanded by ofh-
cers firm in discipline but tolerant in au-
thority. Confidence was soon established,
and from being objects of suspicion the
“peelers” came to be regarded almost with
affection. The white barracks with the black
harp above the door became familiar
throughout Ireland as a source of advice and
friendly admonition rather than repression.
Co-operation from the public aided in the
guick detection of crime, and soon a vast
improvement in the state of the country
was apparent.

In 1830 and 1831 the force had its first
serious trial. War against the church tithe
was declared by the non-conformist farmers,
collectors of this nuisance tax meeting in
most cases with violent resistance. Protec-
tion of these collectors was a task calling for
the highest degree of firmness and tact.

CONSTABLES AMBUSHED

On December 14th, 1831, a party of 36
constables on this duty, under Chief Con-
stable Gibbons, was ambushed in a narrow
defile near Hugginstown, County Kilkenny,
by a mob of 2,000 armed with pikes, scythes
and reaping hooks. A demand for surrender
of the collector, Butler, having been refused,
attack was made on the small police party,
which with admirable restraint held its fire
until too late. Seventeen of the constabulary,
including Mr. Gibbons, were killed, and five
seriously wounded. The remainder fought
their way out, leaving only two of their
assailants dead.

In 1836 the value of the new experiment

was considered proven. Crime had been
kept down and the relations between police
and people greatly improved.

Hitherto the force had been operating
under four heads, each responsible for his
own province direct to Dublin Castle. True,
transfer of men took place between the four
provincial forces, joint action had been taken
by neighbouring forces as necessity arose, but
each provincial force remained an indepen-
dent unit, reflecting the personality of its

Mounted Staff Corps—Crimea War.
—From the Illustrated London News, October, 1854.

own Inspector-General. In an island of only
32,000 square miles centralization was the
obvious step. It was clear, too, that the
many additional duties heaped upon the
constabulary called for an increase of
strength, and that to secure an unbroken
chain of responsibility from constable to
Inspector-General new gradations in ranks
were required. Consolidation of the four

provinces now took place, with Lieutenant’
General James Shaw Kennedy as Inspector-
General for all Ireland. The new chief had
as his deputies two of the former provincial
Inspector-Generals, Major George War-
burton and Major William Miller, with a
force of four provincial inspectors, 35 sub-
inspectors, 217 chief constables, 260 head
constables, 1350 constables and 8000 sub-
constables. Constables were regarded as
non-commissioned officers and were in
charge of stations, with three gold chevrons
worn on the right cuff as rank insignia.

PROMOTION FROM THE RANKS

From 1836 to 1848 was a period of
steadily increasing efficiency and fuller re-
sponsibility for the constabulary. Unsuita-
bility of military officers, many of whom
had crept into the higher ranks, soon became
manifest. Arrogance with which the mili-
tary of that time displayed toward the mere
civilian gave offence, and they lacked the
adaptability and power to quickly meet the
unusual situations which daily confront the
police officer.

The force now began to produce its own
officers by promotion of superior men from
the ranks and by a system of cadetships
instituted in 1842. Passing an examination
in law, languages and general education,
cadets were attached for training to the
reserve, which had been established in 1839,
with the ranks of constable and sergeant
but wearing the uniform of officers. Ap-
pointments to sub-inspector from cadet were
made as vacancies arose, on the successful
completion of the training period. Hence-
forth no further military officers as such
were given police commissions, except in
the case of an Inspector-General, of whom
several have been appointed from the army.

SUCCESSFUL POLICE BAND

The famous depot buildings were erected
in Phoenix Park, Dublin, to house the
reserve and training school in 1846, and in
the same year the Constabulary Band was
organized under Bandmaster H. Hardy, later
to be developed by him into the premier
musical unit in Ireland.

While these changes were taking place,
General Kennedy resigned. A soldier pur

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915 WEST BROADWAY

SUMMER EDITION

VANCOUVER, B. C.

Page Forty-nine