Glasgow has one of the oldest organised police forces in the world.
Early Policing Before 1800
Before formal police, Glasgow relied on:
- City Serjeants and watchmen employed by the burgh
- Volunteer “watch and ward” patrols
- Law enforcement was inconsistent and reactive
📜 The Founding of the City of Glasgow Police (1800)
Glasgow Police Act (1800)
- Formal Title: An Act for the Establishment of a Police in the City of Glasgow
- Enacted: 30 June 1800
- Claim to Fame: Considered Britain’s first modern municipal police force, predating the London Metropolitan Police (1829)
Key Figures
- Lieutenant Peter McKinlay – First Inspector (equivalent to Chief Constable)
- John Stenhouse – Town clerk who championed police reform
Initial Structure and Duties
- Began with 8 full-time constables and 68 unpaid watchmen
- Funded by a local police assessment
- Responsibilities included:
- Crime prevention
- Street patrols
- Lighting lamps and fire watch
- Enforcing sanitation and bylaws
👮 Developments Through the 19th Century
Expansion and Reform
- Rapid force expansion due to industrialisation and population growth
- Introduction of new divisions (Central, Eastern, Western)
- Special branches developed:
- Detective Department (1840s)
- Mounted Patrols
- River Police
Legislative Reform – Burgh Police (Scotland) Acts
- 1833 Act: Legalised and standardised burgh police forces
- Later Acts (1850s–1890s) expanded powers for public health, arrest, and investigation
- Glasgow Police repeatedly restructured to stay compliant
Innovations in Policing
Glasgow led the way in:
- Standard uniforms
- Beat policing
- Use of crime statistics
- Early adoption of photography and fingerprinting (late 1800s)
🧠 Major Historical Moments
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1800 | Glasgow Police officially established |
| 1807 | Glasgow Police was officially established |
| 1833 | Burgh Police Act adopted |
| 1846 | Detective Branch created |
| 1878 | First women employed in clerical roles |
| 1891 | The headquarters opened at Trongate |
🏛️ Legacy and Where to Learn More
- Glasgow Police is one of the oldest modern forces, pioneering preventive policing
- Influenced national models, including the Metropolitan Police
- Learn more at the Glasgow Police Museum, 30 Bell Street, Glasgow
- Glasgow City Police Origins
📚 Suggested Reading
- The Glasgow Police: 1800–1975 by T. Fyfe
- Glasgow Police Museum archives and exhibits
James McLevy 