In a message dated 29/07/2007 19:55:59 GMT Daylight Time, [email protected] writes: I'm not sure what you mean by first 'Chief Constable'. Until the Police Act of 1919, the general practice was that the head of a county force was designated Chief Constable and that of a city or borough, Superintendent of Chief Superintendent. ______________________________________________________________ I notice that in 1902 the Sunderland chief officer is titled 'Chief Constable', but he was just that the chief officer, and had the same status and duties as all the other previous chief officers of the Borough whatever they were called. In "Sentinels of the Wear" the history of Sunderland's river police he is referred to as Superintendent Huntley. Of course he served for twelve years not two years!!!! Stan