In the days before personal radios, the only means of
communication for a policeman was his
whistle or a rattle with which he might summon the help of fellow officers.
Before
going on duty each morning, police
officers would attend a military style parade and inspection, conducted by a sergeant.
They would show that they were properly turned out and had all of the
necessary equipment such as a truncheon, handcuffs, whistle etc. They would
then be allocated a beat for that day
and would not be allowed to return to the station unless they had made an arrest. The policeman would be
at certain points at set times in
order that a sergeant or inspector
might meet him to see if he had
anything to report. He would remain on the streets for his full 12 hour turn of
duty.
The
introduction of police boxes allowed the officer to telephone and report to the
station as could the public.
The
charge room at Newton Street, now the Manchester Police Museum, still has
some of its 19th century furnishings and examples of handcuffs,
truncheons, lamps etc.
Next door are the police cells, just five at
this station. Slatted bunks and wooden pillows didn't make for a comfortable
night’s sleep.
No
larger than a prisoner’s accommodation was the space allocated for the "Reserve Man's Office". This was a constable whose duties included
fingerprinting and feeding the prisoners and keeping the station clean and
tidy. They had a reputation for being eccentric; one Reserve Man at Newton
Street would often be seen in the cell corridor, standing on his head,
practicing yoga while a colleague at another station would regularly entertain
his charges with his violin playing.
Upstairs
is a Police Court. The furnishings and
fittings were rescued from Denton Police Station when it closed and re-erected
here. Occasionally the court comes to life when it is used to train police
recruits in court procedures. A museum
volunteer or a serving magistrate will sit on the bench whilst the initiate
learns how to conduct himself in court
and how to give evidence.
