Police History

The first Head Constable – Captain George Patrick Goldie 1863-1874

In September 1863 the Isle of Man Police Forces were amalgamated under the first Head Constable, George Patrick Goldie, Member of the House of Keys and Captain of the Parish of Marown. He was appointed after the Head Constable elect, a Mr Thompson, drank heavily the night before his appointment and drove his pony and trap down Prospect Hill at a furious pace. He was booked for the equivalent to drunk driving and his appointment was never ratified!

But Captain Goldie faced criticism in the press for being a member of the House of Keys – therefore responsible for making the laws – and now for enforcing them. The editorial called for ‘an experienced detective from London who could teach our Policemen their business’. However, Goldie resigned his membership of the Keys (then self-elected, depending on property ownership and the Governor’s approval) and became a well-respected Head of the Constabulary.

At his own request, he started his appointment attached to Liverpool City Force for one month before commencing his duties in the Island on 21st October 1863. Captain Goldie wrote to Governor Loch of the need to increase the number of police and their remuneration and he soon commanded a force of 57 officers, with police constables paid 16 shillings per week.

By 1873, other firms including the Railway Company were paying their workers more than police constables received. The police had not received an increase in pay since 1867 and Captain Goldie feared men would become disgruntled and seek other, more lucrative work. Four constables were appointed to act as spokesmen for the Force and asked that the cost of living increases over the past five years be taken into account. Captain Goldie added his own appeal to the Lieutenant Governor. The reply was swift agreeing to an increase in pay but seeking a reduction in the number of police by four constables in Douglas, two in Ramsey and one each in Peel and Castletown. Thanks to the railway, the Force had greater mobility and was ‘greatly over strength for nine months of the year’ although the summer months were busy.

Head Constable Goldie protested strongly against a reduction although he conceded perhaps one post could go in Ramsey, there being no shipbuilding by then in the town. He pointed out the railway contractors paid a guinea a week for six days work whereas police constables worked seven days for less pay, and much of their duties were at night. Captain Goldie died shortly after sending his letter, and in August 1873 the Lieutenant Governor enforced the reductions in staff to cover the increase in pay.

Information up to the 1980s reproduced from the book Isle of Man Constabulary by George Turnbull, by kind permission of the publishers, Mansk-Svenska Publishing Company Limited, of Peel, Isle of Man.

The Department of Home Affairs also gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Manx National Heritage. Old photographs reproduced by kind permission of Manx National Heritage. Head Constable photo courtesy of Isle of Man Constabulary.