Park Constables

[siptree]

Anyone have any idea whether Park Constables employed by County Councils in London (Walworth) circa 1911 wore uniforms that could be mistaken for Police uniforms? My great grandfather was a Park Constable and I hear from a cousin of my mothers that he remembers a photo he thought was his grandfather in what he had assumed to be a police uniform. But as grandfather had two brothers in law who were policemen its possible the photo is of one of them.

I found some info which suggests that in some places Park Constables were more involved in security issues and Park  Keepers with the gardening side of things. However, it seems this varied a bit from place to place and there could be some crossover.

Regards Susan

[Dancing Master]

They were in the North of England known as "Park-keepers" or "Parkies" and they used to control the youth element who frequented the Parks.

When they got rid of them that is when the Parks became ruined by vandals etc., and when older people stopped going there.

[siptree]

Yes we had 'Parkies' in London too. I did find some info on English heritage site, which suggested that during the period my g. grandad was working there were, in some places, distinctions between Park Keepers and Park Constables, Sargents and Inspectors. Sometimes the 'police' type titles were given to people employed specifically on 'security' type duties and at some times and in some places they were given powers similar to 'specials'. I can't find any examples of uniform they might have worn in London at this time, when I was young in the 60's 'Parkies' uniforms were brown and had flat caps and did not look at all like police uniforms.

Regards Susan

[siptree]

I have just received a copy of photo of grandad in uniform. It does really look like a police uniform, but his occupation was Park Constable, Couny Council.

Regards
Susan

[Dancing Master]

I'm going back to 1930's 1940's 1950's  when there was rules that the youth were made to obey and not allowed to run rampant in public places.

[luckydog]

Back in the 70's I worked in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh and the Garden Constables were often retired policemen and wore a police/military style uniform . Some even, illegally, carried truncheons with them .

[siptree]

I agree Dancing Master, even in my day they were very strict and suffered no nonsense, I have to say I don't think it was a bad thing!
That's interesting Lucky dog, that as late as the 70s Edinburgh had this kind of 'Parkie'

Regards Susan

[alpinecottage]

My OH tells me that the Royal Parks in London still have their own police force with the same powers as ordinary police elsewhere.  He thinks this setup only applied in London.  If you Google Royal Parks police, you will get lots of hits