The Bobbies and the Prostitutes

[JTRSickert]

Hi everyone. I was just wondering if anyone on here could answer this question. We all have heard stories today of police officers who will let a prostitute or a brothel to continue to operate in return for getting sexual favors for free. The question I had was, in Whitechapel/Spitalfields, did this occur between the bobbies and prostitutes? Were police officers known to be clients of the pros, or were officers very strict and professional in their beats while on the job?

[DVV]

Hi JtrS
I'm not sure a PC would have had a woman for free. The woman could easily make a complaint at the station. It would have been a great risk, just to save 4 pence. The rules were strict, it seems. Look at what happened to Chandler for being "drunk on duty".

Amitiés,
David

[lynn cates]

cuppa

Hello DVV. I agree. Stopping off at a designated house for a cuppa is one thing; stopping off for another item is a different story.

The best.
LC

[Monty]

Service record of City Police Constable 881 indicates he was caught having sex with a woman whilst on duty.

Cant recall the date as Im at work.

And City PC 881 is?

Monty

[JTRSickert]

Monty, what year did this occur?

[Monty]

JTR

25th August 1872


Monty

[DVV]

Hi Monty,
can you remember if he was charged for having sex on duty, or, and that would have been worse, for having sex gratis , because of his job and position?
I still think that "forcing" a prostitute (sex gratis means that) was too risky.
In any case, it can't be common phenomenon.

Amitiés,
David

[Monty]

David,

Dont know if he paid for it.

He was fined 2/6 ....and that was all.

Monty

[tennison]

Hi JtrS
I'm not sure a PC would have had a woman for free. The woman could easily make a complaint at the station. It would have been a great risk, just to save 4 pence. The rules were strict, it seems. Look at what happened to Chandler for being "drunk on duty".

Amitiés,
David

I imagine 'forcing' a prostitute would be very risky, however, as today, having free sex with the local bobby may have been seen as a usual part of the job, to ensure a blind eye was given when she was out working so i dont think it is impossible or even improbable that this was the norm, albeit mostly off the record.

[DVV]

Hi Tennison,

poor girls! if you're right (but I don't think you are: it could happen, but wasn't the norm).
Look: a woman soliciting in Bucks Row could have been "forced" within 1 hour by PC Thain, PC Neil and PC Mizen. In Mitre Square, by both Harvey and Watkins.
Chilling!

Amitiés,
David

[KatBradshaw]

Is it folk lore, urban legend then?? I have always had the impression that at some time Poilce were known for getting freebies for letting the girls off and not arresting them. Have I been watching too many Lynda La Plant programs?

[DVV]

Kat,
I may be wrong, but I bet that during the ripper scare, at least, it would have been damned risky for a PC to follow a prostitute in Whitechapel to a secluded spot, with all the people on the look.

Amitiés,
David

[DVV]

Service record of City Police Constable 881 indicates he was caught having sex with a woman whilst on duty.

Cant recall the date as Im at work.

And City PC 881 is?

Monty

Hi Monty,
apparently it was in August 1872.
He was fined 2/6, as you said, on 25, but not sure he had been caught the same day.
Got this from the excellent article on Watkins by Neil Bell and Robert Clack in Ripp 105.

Amitiés,
David

[Monty]

Did you David?

Wow, must check it out.

Its most probably the same day yes. Im staggard that the only punishment he got was the fine. He wasnt demoted to 3rd class. Maybe it was because he had just been promoted to 2nd class the month previous.

Monty


PS for those who are unsure, we are talking about PC 881 Edward watkins, the man who found Eddowes body.

[DVV]

Hi Monty,
poor Watkins had also been caught drunk on duty. Very informative article, you'll appreciate a splendid pic of Aldgate pump.
Amitiés,
David