Cathedral constable
Encyclopedia
Cathedral constables are employed by a small number of Church of England
cathedrals in England. Previously appointed under common law, modern-day constables no longer have any of the powers and privileges of a constable
.
Cathedral constables have a long history and can trace their lineage back to the 13th Century. They have played an important, if little known contribution, in the development of policing in the United Kingdom. Before the onset of professional policing, something often overlooked, is the close relationship, which once existed between the church and the imposition of law and order. Parish constable
s, sometimes referred to as petty constables, were supervised not only by justices of the peace, but also by churchwarden
s. Like parish constables, church wardens were locally appointed and oversaw the upkeep of the church fabric and property.
In the Middle Ages
the parish
was the smallest unit of local government in the country. Every parish was centred on the Church of England church and, after the Reformation
, was responsible for administering civil and religious government at a local level.
Many parishes developed a Vestry
- a small body of village officials, answerable only to the bishop
and the local justices, and responsible for the ecclesiastical and secular well being of the parish they served. Similarly, many cathedrals employed parish constables to keep watch and maintain law and order, both within and around the cathedral and its precincts. These officers were answerable to the Dean and Chapter
.
Currently, York Minster
, Hereford Cathedral
and Liverpool Cathedral
still employ constables. However, they are no longer attested as constables, unlike the members of the specialist port and parks constabularies. Having no police powers of arrest, cathedral constables utilise 'any person' powers of arrest under Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
In order to preserve their history and tradition, the Liverpool Cathedral Constables
formed the Cathedral Constables' Association; their motto 'In Deo Speramus,' simply means, 'In God we trust.' The association has published a short book 'Cathedral Bobbies,' of the history, traditions and work of cathedral constables through the ages.
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
cathedrals in England. Previously appointed under common law, modern-day constables no longer have any of the powers and privileges of a constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
.
Cathedral constables have a long history and can trace their lineage back to the 13th Century. They have played an important, if little known contribution, in the development of policing in the United Kingdom. Before the onset of professional policing, something often overlooked, is the close relationship, which once existed between the church and the imposition of law and order. Parish constable
Parish constable
Parish constable was a law enforcement officer, usually unpaid and part-time, serving a parish. In some parishes, the position was known as "high constable", e.g. the High Constable of Holborn....
s, sometimes referred to as petty constables, were supervised not only by justices of the peace, but also by churchwarden
Churchwarden
A churchwarden is a lay official in a parish church or congregation of the Anglican Communion, usually working as a part-time volunteer. Holders of these positions are ex officio members of the parish board, usually called a vestry, parish council, parochial church council, or in the case of a...
s. Like parish constables, church wardens were locally appointed and oversaw the upkeep of the church fabric and property.
In the Middle Ages
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages is a periodization of European history from the 5th century to the 15th century. The Middle Ages follows the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476 and precedes the Early Modern Era. It is the middle period of a three-period division of Western history: Classic, Medieval and Modern...
the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
was the smallest unit of local government in the country. Every parish was centred on the Church of England church and, after the Reformation
Reformation
- Movements :* Protestant Reformation, an attempt by Martin Luther to reform the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in a schism, and grew into a wider movement...
, was responsible for administering civil and religious government at a local level.
Many parishes developed a Vestry
Vestry
A vestry is a room in or attached to a church or synagogue in which the vestments, vessels, records, etc., are kept , and in which the clergy and choir robe or don their vestments for divine service....
- a small body of village officials, answerable only to the bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
and the local justices, and responsible for the ecclesiastical and secular well being of the parish they served. Similarly, many cathedrals employed parish constables to keep watch and maintain law and order, both within and around the cathedral and its precincts. These officers were answerable to the Dean and Chapter
Cathedral chapter
In accordance with canon law, a cathedral chapter is a college of clerics formed to advise a bishop and, in the case of a vacancy of the episcopal see in some countries, to govern the diocese in his stead. These councils are made up of canons and dignitaries; in the Roman Catholic church their...
.
Currently, York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
, Hereford Cathedral
Hereford Cathedral
The current Hereford Cathedral, located at Hereford in England, dates from 1079. Its most famous treasure is Mappa Mundi, a mediæval map of the world dating from the 13th century. The cathedral is a Grade I listed building.-Origins:...
and Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral
Liverpool Cathedral is the Church of England cathedral of the Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool and is the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. Its official name is the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool but it is dedicated to Christ and the Blessed Virgin...
still employ constables. However, they are no longer attested as constables, unlike the members of the specialist port and parks constabularies. Having no police powers of arrest, cathedral constables utilise 'any person' powers of arrest under Section 24A of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984.
In order to preserve their history and tradition, the Liverpool Cathedral Constables
Liverpool Cathedral Constables
Liverpool Cathedral Constables are a private constabulary responsible for providing security for Liverpool Cathedral. Its officers are not attested as constables, but take their title of 'constable' from a long held tradition, dating back to the 13th century...
formed the Cathedral Constables' Association; their motto 'In Deo Speramus,' simply means, 'In God we trust.' The association has published a short book 'Cathedral Bobbies,' of the history, traditions and work of cathedral constables through the ages.
Cathedral constabularies
- York Minster PoliceYork Minster PoliceYork Minster Police is a small, specialised cathedral constabulary responsible for policing York Minster in York, United Kingdom. The Head Policeman is Steve Wilkinson.-History:...
- Liverpool Cathedral ConstablesLiverpool Cathedral ConstablesLiverpool Cathedral Constables are a private constabulary responsible for providing security for Liverpool Cathedral. Its officers are not attested as constables, but take their title of 'constable' from a long held tradition, dating back to the 13th century...
- Salisbury Cathedral Constables (abolished 2010)
See also
- Law enforcement in the United Kingdom
- List of law enforcement agencies in the United Kingdom
- Washington National Cathedral PoliceWashington National Cathedral PoliceThe Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation Special Police, commonly known as the Washington National Cathedral Police, is a small police force responsible for protecting the land of the Protestant Episcopal Cathedral Foundation, which mainly consists of the Washington National Cathedral in...
- Pontifical Swiss Guard/Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican CityCorps of Gendarmerie of Vatican CityThe Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano is the gendarmerie, or police and security force, of Vatican City. The corps is responsible for security, public order, border control, traffic control, criminal investigation, and other general police duties in Vatican City...