Name/Title
East Sussex Constabulary pocket book issued to PC 198 Rouse 1939Entry/Object ID
693Description
Brown/buff card bound side opening notebook, approx. 162mm x 110mm, consisting of entries on numbered lined pages. Printed to the front "East Sussex Constabulary", and handwritten on first page in ink, "James Rouse PC 198 Bexhill Motor Patrol 1st January 1939 (to) 6th April 1939.Use
For an officer to record their duties and any relevant information, including evidence and visits by supervisorsContext
Since the 19th century police officers have been issued with pocket notebooks to record anything relevant during their periods of duty, and they would often be referred to when an officer gave evidence at court. Generally the use of these notebooks has not changed significantly over the last 100 years and there are strict guidelines concerning their use. In the past as now, they were signed out to officers and often date stamped. Each page is numbered to prevent removal and officers are instructed to note leave spaces, so that entries cannot be backdated. The time an officer begins his duty and finishes, together with any breaks should be recorded and any entry should be timed. Often notebooks would have leather notebook covers.
This particular pocket notebook was issued to PC 198 Rouse who was assigned to the Motor Section of Bexhill Division. It was used between 1st January 1939 and 6th April 1939. This style of notebook is in a "book" form with a spine at the side. Often police notebooks fold upwards with a spine at the top.
Notebooks are still issued in Sussex Police. However officers are encouraged to use mobile devices more to record their activities, and in some police forces pocket notebooks have been withdrawn altogether.