Oxford University Police
Encyclopedia
The Oxford University Police, or Oxford University Constable
s (popularly known as Bulldog
s), was the private police
force of the University of Oxford
between 1829 and 2003. They carried warrant card
s and were empowered to act as police officers within the University precincts and within areas of Oxford within four miles of any University building. As of 2001 the force existed as a private constabulary (a non-Home Office
police force) with 40 sworn constables. They were widely recognised for the bowler hat
s which formed part of their uniform, and formerly had the duty of patrolling outside the Examination Schools
alongside the University Proctor
s, the officials responsible for discipline in the University. They were abolished by the University Council in 2003.
constables was granted by the Universities Act 1825, making the University Police among the oldest police forces in the United Kingdom
. In 1829, the same year that the Metropolitan Police Service
was established by then-Home Secretary
Sir Robert Peel, the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University signed the "Plan for the Establishment of an Efficient University Police", formalising the powers and duties of the University Constables. They were supervised by the University Proctor
s, and had disciplinary powers over students.
Until the end of the Second World War, the Constables were considered to be in loco parentis
with regard to students of the University, giving them broad disciplinary powers to enforce University rules and regulations.
In 2002, a group of local traders in Oxford wrote to Evan Harris
, a local Member of Parliament
, requesting the removal of the police powers of the Constables over citizens who were not members of the University. They argued that the Constables were "not accountable to any public authority" and described their role as an "anachronism".
After a policy review by the University Council in 2003, the University Police was disbanded when it was decided that it would be too expensive to bring the force up to the required standard of training and implement a multi-tiered complaints procedure.
The circa 40 members of the force were redesignated "Proctors Officers". In recognition of the force's "extraordinary role over almost 180 years" (according to the Senior Proctor), the Constables were not merged with the University's Department of Security Services, but remained under the control of the Proctors. According to the Chancellors' 2003 annual report, these members can still carry out 95% of the duties without constabulary powers.
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:...
s (popularly known as Bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
s), was the private police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
force of the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
between 1829 and 2003. They carried warrant card
Warrant card
A warrant card is proof of identification and authority carried by police officers. The term is normally used only within the United Kingdom and in current and former Commonwealth countries...
s and were empowered to act as police officers within the University precincts and within areas of Oxford within four miles of any University building. As of 2001 the force existed as a private constabulary (a non-Home Office
Home Office
The Home Office is the United Kingdom government department responsible for immigration control, security, and order. As such it is responsible for the police, UK Border Agency, and the Security Service . It is also in charge of government policy on security-related issues such as drugs,...
police force) with 40 sworn constables. They were widely recognised for the bowler hat
Bowler hat
The bowler hat, also known as a coke hat, derby , billycock or bombin, is a hard felt hat with a rounded crown originally created in 1849 for the English soldier and politician Edward Coke, the younger brother of the 2nd Earl of Leicester...
s which formed part of their uniform, and formerly had the duty of patrolling outside the Examination Schools
Examination Schools
The Examination Schools of the University of Oxford are located at 75–81 High Street, Oxford, England.The building was designed by Sir Thomas Jackson , who also designed the cricket pavilion in the University Parks...
alongside the University Proctor
Proctor
Proctor, a variant of the word procurator, is a person who takes charge of, or acts for, another. The word proctor is frequently used to describe someone who oversees an exam or dormitory.The title is used in England in three principal senses:...
s, the officials responsible for discipline in the University. They were abolished by the University Council in 2003.
History
The power of the university to attestPolice Oath
It is usual for Police officers take an oath to uphold the law. The following is a selection from different countries.- Hong Kong :English version according to Chapter 232, schedule 1, Laws of Hong KongI, .. ....
constables was granted by the Universities Act 1825, making the University Police among the oldest police forces in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In 1829, the same year that the Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
was established by then-Home Secretary
Home Secretary
The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the Home Office of the United Kingdom, and one of the country's four Great Offices of State...
Sir Robert Peel, the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University signed the "Plan for the Establishment of an Efficient University Police", formalising the powers and duties of the University Constables. They were supervised by the University Proctor
Proctor
Proctor, a variant of the word procurator, is a person who takes charge of, or acts for, another. The word proctor is frequently used to describe someone who oversees an exam or dormitory.The title is used in England in three principal senses:...
s, and had disciplinary powers over students.
Until the end of the Second World War, the Constables were considered to be in loco parentis
In loco parentis
The term in loco parentis, Latin for "in the place of a parent"" refers to the legal responsibility of a person or organization to take on some of the functions and responsibilities of a parent...
with regard to students of the University, giving them broad disciplinary powers to enforce University rules and regulations.
In 2002, a group of local traders in Oxford wrote to Evan Harris
Evan Harris
Evan Leslie Harris is a British Liberal Democrat politician. He was the Member of Parliament for Oxford West and Abingdon from 1997 to 2010, losing his seat in the 2010 general election by 176 votes to Conservative Nicola Blackwood....
, a local Member of Parliament
Member of Parliament
A Member of Parliament is a representative of the voters to a :parliament. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, the term applies specifically to members of the lower house, as upper houses often have a different title, such as senate, and thus also have different titles for its members,...
, requesting the removal of the police powers of the Constables over citizens who were not members of the University. They argued that the Constables were "not accountable to any public authority" and described their role as an "anachronism".
After a policy review by the University Council in 2003, the University Police was disbanded when it was decided that it would be too expensive to bring the force up to the required standard of training and implement a multi-tiered complaints procedure.
The circa 40 members of the force were redesignated "Proctors Officers". In recognition of the force's "extraordinary role over almost 180 years" (according to the Senior Proctor), the Constables were not merged with the University's Department of Security Services, but remained under the control of the Proctors. According to the Chancellors' 2003 annual report, these members can still carry out 95% of the duties without constabulary powers.
See also
- ProctorProctorProctor, a variant of the word procurator, is a person who takes charge of, or acts for, another. The word proctor is frequently used to describe someone who oversees an exam or dormitory.The title is used in England in three principal senses:...
- Policing in the United KingdomPolicing in the United KingdomLaw enforcement in the United Kingdom is organised separately in each of the legal systems of the United Kingdom: England & Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland ....
- List of former police forces in the United Kingdom
- Cambridge University ConstabularyCambridge University ConstabularyThe Cambridge University Constabulary is a body of constables based around the precincts of the University of Cambridge. There are approximately 20 to 30 constables in the Constabulary....