PW_1_2026

Article

Living Historical Constables By Roland van den Akker , IPA UK member [Photo 04 ]

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The War and Police re-enactment group in Kent (UK) – initially started as a group of individuals doing what they enjoyed most in their spare time, collecting and learning about local history, bringing back the memories in a living setting and sharing it with the public. [01]

I n World War Two most policemen were retired soldiers who were too old to go into battle, the group decided in 2021 to change from airborne paratroopers to constables. MOBILE POLICE STATION In 2022, Paul and Des [ 02 & 03 ] decided to buy an old trailer. Within three months it changed into a mobile 1940s Police Station with its own cell. The group is looking for a bigger trailer to allow access to visitors with mobility issues. With help from the National Lottery Heritage Funds and Medway Heritage Place program we improved the display for the visually impaired and for people with hearing aids we have a Hearing Loop system. [ 04 ]

EVENTS The main events where the group has set up the Police Station and the War Animal display have been visited by more than 500 visitors a day. [ 10 ] We attended at the Kent Police Open Days 2024 (KPOD24) at the Kent Police Training Centre, together with the Faversham based Kent Police Museum, [ 11 ] in a pitch. Altogether 18,000 visitors came to Sutton Road! The Kent Chief Constable, Mr. Tim Smith, and other senior police staff and members of the force were quite impressed by both our police station as well as our knowledge of KCC history.

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For schools we have a lesson plan SK1 and SK2 in accordance to the National Curriculum. Teachers can invite the W&P group to bring their lesson plan and one or two dressed police constables and equipment. Desk sergeant [ 05 ] Nick joined in 2022. Interestingly he has an 1854 ‘Bow Street Runners’ uniform. [ 06 ] These men were known as London’s first professional police force! [ 07 ] Tim, our detective constable collects photo cameras and equipment and fingerprinting equipment. [ 08 ] Currently our only WAPC (Women’s Auxiliary Police Corps) is Chrissy, her husband Tony who displays his Parachute Regiment collection, but also once in a while can be seen in his Kent police sergeant uniform. [ 09 ]

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INTERNATIONAL POLICE In 2022 Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) reenactor Dave joined the group; He owns an RCMP Ford Crown police cruiser and a Canadian Mounted Police Harley Davidson. He wears his Kent Special Constable’s uniform which is a replica of what his grandfather wore during WW2. Dave has been collecting RCMP items since 1998. His collection has grown considerably, with items from the 1870s to the current day, including UN peacekeeping uniform items. In various events, Dave brings out his collection. [ 12 ]

POLICE WORLD Vol 71 No.1, 2026

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