Brighton Borough Police Certificate for Proficiency in Swimming 1939
Entry/Object ID
2214
Description
Stiff paper certificate approx. 35cm x 25.4 cm printed "County Borough of Brighton Police Force. Certificate awarded by watch committee for proficiency in swimming. This is to certify that police constable No. 219 Francis John Walton has passed the necessary test un swimming namely 80 years breast stroke. 40 years back swimming. 20 years life saving". It is signed by the Chairman of the watch committee and the chief constable and dated14th June 1939.
Use
To confirm that an officer has passed proficiency tests in swimming
Context
Police officers have long been required to be proficient in swimming and lifesaving in order that they can go to the aid of those in difficulty in the water. This certificate dated 14th June 1939, shows what the requirements were for in Brighton Borough Police at that time, and it appears that there may well have been an annual requirement to demonstrate this proficiency in the force. This is because we know that PC 219 Walton, the recipient, was not a new recruit, as he is mentioned in the list of officers prepared for the 1938 Centenary History of the Brighton Police.
