My first day, as a probationary constable, with the Wiltshire Constabulary, was on Monday 2nd September 1974. I paraded at the county police headquarters, Devizes. The police clothing stores was also based there. The memories came flooding back from the first year that I had spent there as a cadet. I was allocated the collar number 835. I had handed in all my police cadet uniform and then I was given the uniform of a police woman. Gone were the stocking and suspenders and the detachable starched collar and stud for my shirts. It was replaced with black tights and a white cotton rich shirt with the collar already attached. That was progress indeed.
I received a large folder of student notes for my induction course. There was an awful lot of law and procedure to learn. My photograph and fingerprints were also taken for the force records. I was not going to be just a “uniform carrier” like some police officers I had known. I would strive to be efficient. To be the best I could be. I knew that would only come through hard work, dedication and experience.
I was officially sworn into the office of constable, by a local magistrate, on Wednesday 4th September 1974. The words of the oath were: “I do solemnly and sincerely declare and affirm that I will well and truly serve our sovereign lady the Queen in the office of constable, without favour or affection, malice or ill will and that I will to the best of my power, cause the peace to be kept and preserved and prevent all offences against the persons and properties of her Majesty’s subjects and that while I continue to hold the said office I will, to the best of my skill and knowledge, discharge all the duties thereof faithfully according to law.”
I was issued with a police warrant card. It looked like a credit card in a blue plastic wallet. I wore the uniform of a policewoman for the first time with pride. It should always be a special moment for any recruit. I was measured and kitted out with my new uniform. When I say `measured` I mean as long as it fits reasonably well. We had to be grateful for what uniform we received. It was almost as through the staff, in the clothing stores, including Mr. Normington and “Ivor” were giving away their own property. I was issued with two skirts, two tunics, one hat, six shirts (in addition we could get three new shirts each year after handing in three worn shirts) one black tie and one uniformed hard hat. The head gear was unique and I liked it. I had not seen any other police woman, from another police force, wear it – not even when I was at basic training. In addition, there was one gabardine raincoat, a great coat (trench coat) and black gloves for the winter. Capes had been issued to policewomen earlier that year but I did not get one.
The hard hat felt weird to wear as soon as it was “plonked” on my head by a member of staff. Eventually it became more comfortable but it was sweaty to wear during the summer months because of the leather rim. In addition, we were given a training kit of top’s and skirt’s to wear while undergoing physical training and self defence at the Ryton training school at Coventry.
November 1974. Class E/1974.Penny is second row, fourth from the left.
