Approximately how many constables did the London Metropolitan Police Force have at its inception?

Approximately how many constables did the London Metropolitan Police Force have at its inception?

• A. 1000
• B. 500
• C. 1500
• D. 2000

Answer: (A)

When the London Metropolitan Police Force was established in 1829, it was designed as a relatively small, professional body to provide a visible police presence across the city. The starting strength was about a thousand constables, a size chosen to balance effective coverage with manageable costs while replacing the older night-watch system. This figure is consistently cited by historical accounts, which is why it’s the best answer. The other suggested amounts don’t match the documented starting establishment, so they don’t fit the historical record.

When the London Metropolitan Police Force was established in 1829, it was designed as a relatively small, professional body to provide a visible police presence across the city. The starting strength was about a thousand constables, a size chosen to balance effective coverage with manageable costs while replacing the older night-watch system. This figure is consistently cited by historical accounts, which is why it’s the best answer. The other suggested amounts don’t match the documented starting establishment, so they don’t fit the historical record.