Policing Hertfordshire before the Police

In 1841 Hertfordshire established its county constabulary, but Dr Elaine Saunders’ talk considers how communities were policed before this date. Her study of eighteenth century rural policing introduces the county’s petty constables, who were responsible for maintaining law and order. It sheds light on county authority structures, ancient systems of policing, the type of men holding office and what their duties entailed. It also reviews the changes in policing which led to the formation of the constabulary.

Her 2018 thesis, “Men of good Character, strong, decent and active“; Hertfordshire’s Petty Constables, 1730-1799, is available for free download from the OU at ttp://oro.open.ac.uk/56096

Elaine Saunders is a former lawyer who took up formal history study “later in life”. During an MA at the University of Hertfordshire she discovered that very little research existed into pre-constabulary policing. She joined the Centre for the History of Crime, Policing and Justice at the Open University to begin doctoral research in this neglected area, and produced the first detailed study of eighteenth century rural policing.

This lecture will be available in person only at Dagnall Street Baptist Church. Please click on the button above right to register. You will then receive confirmation of your registration by email return. Registration closes at 3.30pm on Tuesday 21 January.

If you have any questions, please email Gill Girdziusz via [email protected]

Picture above: Illustration advertising BBC Radio 3 programme on C18 crime and punishment (2014)

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