Summary
The Glasgow Police Act 1800 was an act of Parliament passed by the Parliament of Great Britain, which established a professional police force for the city of Glasgow. Under the act, this police force was placed under the control of the Lord Provost, three magistrates and nine elected commissioners.[1] The force was supported financially by a rate levied by the City Council on houses and businesses; the lack of such a levy had frustrated the previous attempt at having a professional police presence in the city.[1]
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act for extending the Royalty of the City of Glasgow over certain adjacent Lands; for paving, lighting, and cleansing the Streets; for regulating the Police, and appointing Officers and Watchmen; for dividing the City into Wards, and appointing Commissioners; and for raising Funds, and for giving certain Powers to the Magistrates and Council, and Town and Dean of Guild Courts, for the above and other Purposes. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 39 & 40 Geo. 3. c. lxxxviii |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 30 June 1800 |
Status: Amended | |
| Text of the Glasgow City Extension and Improvement Act 1800 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The act was a forerunner of similar acts of Parliament establishing police forces in other Scottish cities and burghs, culminating in the Police (Scotland) Act 1850 (13 & 14 Vict. c. 33) and the General Police and Improvement (Scotland) Act 1862 (25 & 26 Vict. c. 101).[1]
As well as making provision for the establishment of a police force, the act also authorised the annexation of ninety-six acres of land surrounding the city.[2]
References edit
- ^ a b c Joyce, Peter (2009). Policing: Development and Contemporary Practice. SAGE Publications. pp. 19–20.
- ^ Devine, Thomas Martun (1995). Glasgow: Beginnings to 1830. Manchester University Press. pp. 251–252.