When the force was with us '“ our very own Portsmouth force

This year marks 50 years since the demise of the Portsmouth City Police, which amalgamated with the Hampshire and Southampton forces to form the present Hampshire Constabulary.
PARADE City police sergeant Eddie Wallace on parade with colleagues at Eastney Barracks in 1960 for the annual inspection by HM Inspector of ConstabularyPARADE City police sergeant Eddie Wallace on parade with colleagues at Eastney Barracks in 1960 for the annual inspection by HM Inspector of Constabulary
PARADE City police sergeant Eddie Wallace on parade with colleagues at Eastney Barracks in 1960 for the annual inspection by HM Inspector of Constabulary

Every year since then former employees of Portsmouth City Police have held a reunion of some kind on the anniversary of the amalgamation, March 31.

This year, on Friday, March 31, to mark the anniversary, a reunion lunch will be held at the Marriott Hotel, North Harbour, Portsmouth.

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Tickets are priced at £20 and can be obtained from the group’s treasurer, David Burgess.

HELPING HAND Pictured crossing Commercial Road, Portsmouth, with three children is PC Bill KempsterHELPING HAND Pictured crossing Commercial Road, Portsmouth, with three children is PC Bill Kempster
HELPING HAND Pictured crossing Commercial Road, Portsmouth, with three children is PC Bill Kempster

And to mark the special occasion a commemorative medallion will be struck and presented to everyone attending the lunch.

Tony Thompson, of Titchfield Common, said: ‘Portsmouth City Police was a proud and well-regarded force.

‘Of all the amalgamated police forces in the UK, Portsmouth is one of the very few that has consistently held annual reunions.’

The organising committee can be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].