Leicestershire Police: A Comprehensive History and Leadership Overview
The Leicestershire Police serves as the primary law enforcement agency for its jurisdiction, boasting a legacy that spans nearly two centuries. From its early foundations in the 19th century to its modern adaptations in the 21st, the force has evolved through various mergers and name changes to meet the changing needs of public safety and governance.
The Evolution of the Force
Established in 1839, the force began its journey as the Leicestershire Police. Over the decades, it underwent several structural changes to streamline regional policing. In 1951, it amalgamated with the Rutland Constabulary to become the Leicestershire and Rutland Constabulary. This was followed by a 1967 merger with the Leicester City Police, resulting in the formation of the Leicester and Rutland Constabulary.
Following the implementation of the Local Government Act 1972, the organization was renamed the Leicestershire Constabulary in 1974. To better align with the standards of modern policing, the name was updated once more in 2012 to the current title, Leicestershire Police.
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Growth and Strategic Proposals
The scale of the force has fluctuated over time. For instance, in 1965, the Leicestershire and Rutland Constabulary had an official establishment of 748 officers, though the actual strength at the time was 659 officers.
In March 2006, the Home Secretary proposed a significant strategic shift that would have merged Leicestershire Police with four other East Midlands forces to create a single regional strategic police force. However, these plans were ultimately dropped in 2007, allowing the force to maintain its current structure.
Modern Challenges and Surveillance
In 2015, the force faced public scrutiny regarding a covert surveillance operation at the Download Festival. The plan involved using CCTV face recognition to compare festival-goers' faces against a database of custody images to identify organized pickpocketing gangs targeting European festivals. The operation was intended to be revealed only after completion, but it was inadvertently exposed by the magazine Police Oracle before the event began.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1839.
- Current Name: Leicestershire Police (adopted in 2012).
- Previous Names: Leicestershire and Rutland Constabulary, Leicester and Rutland Constabulary, and Leicestershire Constabulary.
- Recent Leadership: Led by Chief Constable Rob Nixon (as of November 2022).
- Regional Strategy: A 2006 proposal to merge with other East Midlands forces was cancelled in 2007.
Leadership and Chief Constables
The leadership of the force has been guided by a succession of Chief Constables since its inception. The first to lead the force was Frederick Goodyer, who served for nearly four decades.
| Tenure | Chief Constable |
|---|---|
| 1839–1876 | Frederick Goodyer |
| 1876–1889 | Captain Roland Vincent Sylvester Grimston |
| 1889–1928 | Edward Holmes |
| 1928–1949 | Major Cecil Eagles Lynch-Blosse |
| 1950–1972 | John A Taylor |
| 1972–1986 | Alan Goodson |
| 1986–1993 | Michael John Hirst |
| 1993–1997 | Keith Povey |
| 1997–2001 | David Wyrko |
| 2001–2009 | Matt Baggott |
| 2010–2022 | Simon Cole |
| 2022–2025 | Rob Nixon |
| 2025–Present | David Sandall (Acting) |
Honoring Fallen Officers
The bravery of the force's members is commemorated by the Police Roll of Honour Trust and the Police Memorial Trust. The latter has erected 50 national memorials since 1984 to honor officers killed in the line of duty.
Several Leicestershire officers are specifically recognized for dying while attempting to stop or solve crimes:
- PC Thomas George Barrett (1886): Beaten to death during a discussion regarding an unpaid fine.
- PC William Adiel Wilkinson (1903): Shot dead in an ambush by individuals with a grudge against the police.
- Sergeant Brian Dawson (1975): Shot dead while responding to reports of a man firing into a street.
- PCs Bryan Reginald Moore and Andrew Carl Munn (2002): Fatally injured when their vehicle was rammed during a pursuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Leicestershire Police first established?
The force was originally formed in 1839.
Why did the force change its name in 2012?
The change from Leicestershire Constabulary to Leicestershire Police was made to ensure the name was in keeping with modern policing.
Who is the current acting Chief Constable?
As of 2025, David Sandall is serving as the acting Chief Constable.
What happened during the 2015 Download Festival operation?
The force attempted a covert CCTV face recognition operation to identify organized pickpocketing gangs, but the plan was revealed by the magazine Police Oracle before it could be executed.
Were there ever plans to merge Leicestershire Police with other regional forces?
Yes, in March 2006, the Home Secretary proposed merging the force with four other East Midlands forces to create a strategic regional force, but these plans were dropped in 2007.