Liverpool Cathedral Constables are a cathedral constabulary responsible for providing security for

Liverpool Cathedral Liverpool Cathedral is the Cathedral of the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool, built on St James's Mount in Liverpool, and the seat of the Bishop of Liverpool. It may be referred to as the Cathedral Church of Christ in Liverpool (as recorded in t ...

History

Its officers follow a long-held tradition of cathedral constables dating back to the thirteenth century. At one time many Anglican cathedrals appointed ecclesiastical constables to uphold law and order in and around their precincts. Today

is one of only three cathedrals nationally still to employ constables, along with

York Minster The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York, commonly known as York Minster, is the cathedral of York, North Yorkshire, England, and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe. The minster is the seat of the Archb ...

(

York Minster Police York Minster Police is a small, specialised cathedral constabulary responsible for security in York Minster and its precincts in York, United Kingdom. History The Liberty of St Peter and Peter Prison was formed in 1106, and appointed its own o ...

) and Canterbury Cathedral (

Canterbury Cathedral Close Constables The Canterbury Cathedral Close Constables are a cathedral constabulary employed by Canterbury Cathedral to maintain order and security in and around the cathedral. They have the same police powers as regular police in the United Kingdom, incl ...

). Cathedral constables were employed at

Salisbury Cathedral Salisbury Cathedral, formally the Cathedral Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary, is an Anglican cathedral in Salisbury, England. The cathedral is the mother church of the Diocese of Salisbury and is the seat of the Bishop of Salisbury. The buil ...

until 2010, when they were replaced with security guards and traffic managers, at

Hereford Cathedral Hereford Cathedral is the cathedral church of the Anglican Diocese of Hereford in Hereford, England. A place of worship has existed on the site of the present building since the 8th century or earlier. The present building was begun in 1079. S ...

until 2014, and Chester Cathedral until 2021 when they were transferred to Liverpool Cathedral. The constables endeavour to maintain the history and tradition of ecclesiastical constables through the Cathedral Constables' Association.Cathedral Constables' Association
/ref> The constables, through the Cathedral Constables' Association, have published a short book entitled, ''Cathedral Bobbies''. The book is a series of reflections related to individual constable's experiences.

Operations

Today, Liverpool Cathedral and its precinct are protected by a team of 10 constables managed by a Head Constable who in turn reports to the Cathedral Inspector. Working in teams of two, they provide 24-hour cover, 365 days a year. The security of the cathedral is not their only responsibility; constables also patrol the adjacent residential college campus, providing security to the young people who live there. Constables work out of the Constables’ Lodge, a single storey building at the entrance to the cathedral's precinct, and from where they watch all comings and goings with the aid of an extensive range of

CCTV Closed-circuit television (CCTV), also known as video surveillance, is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place, on a limited set of monitors. It differs from broadcast television in that the signal is not openly tr ...

cameras and monitors. In January 2011, the cathedral appointed its first female constable.

Equipment and uniform

The cathedral's constables wear uniforms similar to typical British police officers. They wear a white shirt with epaulettes, black tie, black combat style trousers, and a high visibility jacket with the words "Cathedral Constable" on the back. Not all officers are attested, but attested officers are distinguishable by their wearing of a cap with a Sillitoe tartan (black and white chequered) band, the addition of ‘Police’ below Cathedral Constable on their uniform and the carrying of personal safety equipment. All constables are trained to deal with difficult and occasionally dangerous situations whilst ensuring minimal disruption to the spiritual tranquility of the cathedral.

Ranks

The rank structure of the Liverpool Cathedral Constables is smaller than most police forces, due to its size, but the ranks themselves are similar. The senior officer is an Inspector.

Territorial policing

More serious crimes and policing incidents on the cathedral precincts are handled by the local

territorial police force A territorial police force is a police service that is responsible for an area defined by sub-national boundaries, distinguished from other police services which deal with the entire country or a type of crime. In countries organized as federations, ...

, Merseyside Police.

References

{{Use dmy dates, date=September 2016 Police forces of England Church law enforcement agencies