Unlocked Stories: Memories of Policing as a Woman in the Sixties
Prior to joining the police force, Joyce Taylor (née Cooke) worked in a local post office straight out of school. She joined Walsall Borough Police in the 1960’s. She had always wanted to be a police officer and really liked the distinctive police uniform. On joining she went to Ryton on Dunsmore for 13 weeks …
Diary of a Heritage Manager – #Weare50: ‘Did they even have computers in 1974?’
The short answer is yes. Yes they did. Only two mind: Command and Control and a very early version of PNC, which only had the vehicle module at this time. Everything else was done on paper and via telephone. One comment from one of our retired officers made me chuckle: Howard Richards recalled “If you …
LGBT+ History Month: When gay police made headlines
It would be remiss to pretend homophobia has not existed historically, both publicly and within the force, and many an officer certainly faced criticism, fear, and abuse for who they were – but here we would like to give no further spotlight to those who held such views in the past, and instead highlight those …
#WeAre50 | Whistle saves Birmingham officer’s life
Lying stricken on the ground, drifting in and out of consciousness and with a nine inch knife embedded in his back, PC Gordon Law knew he had one last chance – he reached for his whistle in his uniform pocket and desperately blew for help. That would be the last time an officer in Birmingham …
#WeAre50 | Technology: Facial Recognition
Facial recognition technology is no mystery to us in the 21st century – our phones know our faces, airport security is automated by scanning our likeness, and a spy movie isn’t complete without someone holding their eye up to a scanner to gain access somewhere top secret. It seems almost far-fetched to think of a …
#WeAre50 | Policing the digital age – Celebrating technological advancements
We are two months into our 50th anniversary of West Midlands Police. Throughout February, we will be discussing how technology has changed over 50 years and how it has impacted the way we police today. From whistles and police boxes, to contact centres and mobility devices, the world of policing and crime looks very different …
Share your knowledge and passion for policing
We’re looking for enthusiastic, positive, and creative individuals to join their volunteer family. In particular, we’re keen to recruit volunteers to support our award-winning education team to help with school visits in the week. It’s been five whole terms since the Lock-up opened and in this time, we have provided 141 school visits, 3 school …
Dive into the rich history of Wolverhampton Police
Former officers joined some of our newest recruits for the launch of a book charting the history of Wolverhampton’s police force. Retired officers with service stretching back to the 1960s were alongside newly inducted officers for the event at Wolverhampton Police Station last week. Among those attending were a former Wolverhampton Chief Superintendent, a retired …
Diary of a Heritage Manager – #WeAre50 Blog 1: The force of a thousand macs
At the museum we celebrate the past 200 years of policing, often focusing on older heritage, rather than more recent history. This year we are using the 50th Anniversary of West Midlands Police as a chance to shine a spotlight on the past 50 years. I recently met with a small group of retired and …
#WeAre50 | Policing the Parks in Birmingham
Guest Blog: Lindsey Ballinger During the 19th and very early 20th century, the parks in Birmingham were patrolled by the Birmingham City Police. The parks were not always a safe place for families and in the 1880’s and 1890’s “several cases of indecent and immoral conduct” were reported, with a number of sexual assaults on …
The Police History Society – 38th Conference
Each year our Heritage Manager Corinne joins the Police History Society conference, of which she is a member…. This year, I was lucky enough to accompany her and enjoy a weekend of thought-provoking talks by experts in their field, along with meeting some of the most well-versed people when it comes to police heritage. Corinne …
Charles Haughton Rafter’s pace stick We had a search through our collection to find something inspired by the festive spirit and were delighted to come across a Christmas gift from Sir Charles Haughton Rafter himself! In 1926 Rafter was gifted an engraved pace stick by his Superintendents, “as an expression of their loyalty and esteem.” …
Unlocked Stories: Detective Top Cat
It is always a fulfilling moment for us when we are able to add missing puzzle pieces to a visitors history through our genealogical research – however, sometimes we are lucky enough to be sent personal histories by visitors who have more to add to our story! Meet Detective Superintendent Trevor Cerdin Thomas; fondly known …
The medals of Sgt. Kenneth William Green Sgt. Kenneth William Green served as part of the Coventry Police, before joining the Army as a Glider Pilot during WW2. Kenneth flew during Operation ‘Market Garden’; this allied military operation took place in the German-occupied Netherlands in September of 1944. The objective was to create a route …
“Kill The Black One First”: A Memoir This Black History Month our chosen object is the memoir of Michael Fuller; Britain’s first and only Black Chief Constable, and the highest ranking black officer in the UK before his retirement. Michael Fuller was born to Windrush-generation Jamaican immigrants in 1959, whom, for reasons emotionally detailed in …
