Our History

Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary is the oldest police force in Scotland. Formed over sixty years ago, we are a small force but cover the third largest beat area in the country.

Our roots and the policing history of Dumfries and Galloway stretches further back than just the past sixty years though. Like any other region we have a long and varied history in policing and tackling crime.

You can read about the history of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary from the 18th century through to the present day.

18th Century

Records indicate that the earliest force within Dumfries and Galloway was set up in 1788 in Dumfries Burgh, when Constables were appointed by Justices, themselves appointed by the King, to control the population.

Constables had the power of arrest and the power to call upon the public to help quell disturbances, a power which the government may have thought necessary in the climate of social and political turmoil following the French Revolution and with a recognised group of radicals living in the town. The Constables’ role in maintaining law and order complemented that of the large military garrison stationed in the Royal Burgh during the period of the Napoleonic Wars.

Serving for a period of six months and with wages paid from fines, topped up by government funding, Constables’ varied duties included apprehending vagrants, vagabonds, ‘night walkers’ and suspected persons. They were also responsible for ensuring that every individual maintained the arms and armour appropriate to his position, for building and maintaining roads and for keeping their patch clean.

19th Century

During the early part of the nineteenth century, the creation of police forces in this area, as in other parts of the country, was fiercely resisted. It was not until 1838 that Dumfriesshire County Police came into being, followed the next year by the Wigtownshire County Police and, eventually, in 1849, Stewartry of Kirkcudbright Police. The needs of the growing urban areas were recognised later in the century, with Stranraer Burgh Police being formed in about 1860, Maxwelltown Burgh Police in 1863 and Annan Burgh Police in 1865.

In the Victorian era, hours of duty were long, wages low and disciplinary codes rigorously enforced. Not surprisingly, many officers fell foul of regulations governing their on- and off-duty hours, so that long service tended to be the exception rather than the rule. On joining, a recruit was required to deposit ten shillings with the Chief Constable before he was issued with his equipment, the cash being reimbursed when he retired, providing that the equipment was returned in good order.

20th Century

With the passage of time it became clear that policing the three south-western counties of Scotland required greater cohesion than could be achieved by seven independently run forces. The consequent amalgamations left only the three county forces in place and finally, on 16 February 1948, the Dumfriesshire, Stewartry of Kirkcudbright and Wigtownshire Constabularies amalgamated to form the present force, Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary.

As well as over fifty years of local policing, officers from Dumfries and Galloway have played a full part in developing and delivering the central services which are so critical to Scottish policing. On average, two or three officers each year have been members of the faculty at the Scottish Police College, passing their experience and expertise to the next generation. The force is also well represented within the Scottish Crime Squad, with usually two or three officers at any one time dedicating their professionalism to the national fight against crime while acquiring specialist skills which will benefit our force.

The implementation of the Sex Discrimination Act in 1975 meant that the high turnover of women, who had previously had to leave the force on marriage, became a thing of the past. Their experience and expertise now enriches the force for the full thirty years of a police career with the same training, conditions and pay as their male colleagues. Women officers now serve in all disciplines and branches of the force.

Present Day Policing

Structurally, the force comprises of two divisions, each headed by a divisional commander of Superintendent rank.

The two divisions are based on the former district boundaries: Dumfries Division covers Annandale & Eskdale and Nithsdale; while Galloway Division covers Stewartry and Wigtownshire.

Geography

Dumfries and Galloway is geographically the third largest region in Scotland covering an area of 2,380 square miles with 239 miles of coastline and a population of around 146,000. Numerically, though, it has the smallest police force in mainland Britain, with approximately 465 police officers and around 250 support staff who specialise in a variety of duties.

Due to the topography of the area, police duties often extend beyond those common to all forces, namely the investigation, detection and prevention of crime. The long coastline and fast-running tides mean involvement in shipping and sailing incidents, while inland the rugged hills of Glentrool, Glenkens, Upper Nithsdale and Moffat attract many walkers and climbers who sometimes require the assistance of the police and local hill rescue teams.

Dumfries and Galloway has more than 2,900 miles of roads carrying local, national and international traffic. The A74(M) provides a vital motorway link between Scotland and England, while the A75 Euroroute connects Northern Ireland to England and the Continent through the busy Irish Sea ferry ports. Considerable police attention is devoted to these routes in the interest both of road safety and the apprehension of travelling criminals.

Since 1948 a continuing policy of resource improvement has been applied to meet modern needs and changes in policing methods. A new radio and communication system with state-of-the-art digital equipment allowing direct communication with the Force Control Room from anywhere in the region will soon be operational. In addition, a purpose built police command vehicle, completely self-supporting as an incident post or mobile police station, is used to attend any major incident or event.

Despite the small size of Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary, its duties and responsibilities are equal to those of larger forces in more populous areas. Its officers ensure that by maintaining a high level of operational efficiency and a close, harmonious relationship with the public they serve, they provide a service of which they may be justifiably proud.

Chief Constables Past & Present

First Woman Officer

In 1941, Miss Margaret Foote, formerly a staff nurse at the Crichton Royal Hospital, was one of the women recruited to take the place of men away at war. On reporting to Dumfries Burgh Headquarters, in Terregles Street, she was despatched to Glasgow for three weeks training, dealing mainly with domestic problems in housing estates.

On her return, her uniform was waiting and together with a colleague she formed the Police Women’s Department. Among women’s duties were Court Officer and school crossing patrol. They were women and children’s officers, dealing with pregnant teenagers, runaways and battered wives, serving as midwife and taking statements from road traffic victims.

After the war, Miss Foote and her colleagues became full members of Dumfries Burgh Constabulary. By 1948 there were seven women, five on patrol duties and two doing clerical and typing work

Women officers’ strengths and skills were slowly recognised. With the Sex Discrimination Act in 1975 the high turnover of women, who had previously had to leave the force on marriage, became a thing of the past. Their experience and expertise now enriches the force for the full thirty years of a police career with the same training, conditions and pay as their male colleagues. Women officers now serve in all disciplines and branches of the force.