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Howard Vincent's Police Code, 1889

by Neil Bell

A Victorian policing manual from the era of the Whitechapel murders

Regular price $70.49 USD
Regular price $70.49 USD Sale price $70.49 USD

Hardcover New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

A Victorian policing manual from the era of the Whitechapel murders

This 2019 hardcover reprints the 1889 edition of Howard Vincent’s Police Code, a working reference compiled by the Director of the CID for London’s Metropolitan Police. Its more than 900 entries set out how officers were to understand the legality of situations encountered in daily duty, including baby farming, illegal burials, prisoner identification, and people described in the period’s terminology as “wandering lunatics.” An extensive introduction by Neil Bell and Adam Wood places the document in context. Used by officers during the Whitechapel murders, the volume offers a primary-source view of Victorian police procedure, legal categories, and institutional assumptions.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Readers interested in Victorian London and the Whitechapel-murders era
  • Researchers of police history, criminal justice, or legal history
  • Collectors of historical documents and true-crime source material

Themes

Victorian policingCriminal law and procedureMetropolitan Police historyWhitechapel-era LondonHistorical primary sources

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Howard Vincent's Police Code, 1889 is a republishing of the famous guide for Metropolitan Police of the Victorian era, with an extensive introduction by Neil Bell and Adam Wood. The Police Code was compiled by Howard Vincent, Director of the CID, and first published in 1881. It was an invaluable resource to Metropolitan Police officers and was updated regularly over the next 50 years. The version being reprinted is for 1889, written in 1888 and in use by officers at the time of the Whitechapel murders. Over 200 pages, Howard Vincent carefully described in simple terms the legality of more than 900 incidents which might occur in the daily life of a police officer, from baby farming and wandering lunatics to illegal burials and the identification of prisoners. Originally, a share of proceeds from sales were donated to the Metropolitan and City Police Orphanage, and we are proud to announce that we will continue this tradition by donating an equal share of profits to the Metropolitan and City Police Orphans Fund - every copy sold therefore contributes to the Orphans Fund.

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