Family and local history

Our archive holds Police Orders from 1857 to 1990, ledgers containing collar numbers for A, B, E, F, G, H, K, L, M, N, R and Y Divisions, a Second World War set of index cards for Special Constables and War Reserve Constables, Central Records of Service (CRS-es) for some post-1945 officers and some registers of gratuities (one-off payments for officers who hadn’t served a full 20 years) and widows’ pensions.

Please note that Police Orders after 31 December 1968 and some other files are closed in line with UK GDPR, whilst CRS-es can only be released to the record subject themselves or upon receipt of proof of death.

Police Orders were the day-by-day updates sent to police stations from Scotland Yard. They contain information about rewards, punishments, joiners, leavers, promotions, dismissals, divisions (geographical areas of the Met) and police stations which may assist in family history research. The Met Museums team is unable to undertake any family history research of behalf of individuals but is happy to offer advice and book research appointments.

Our photograph collection which includes photographs of officers and stations is currently being documented. Once this is complete we will be able to search for officers and locations.

To book a research appointment or for further assistance on family and local history enquiries please contact us or download our research guide.