Captain Howard C Hastings

Force history

Chief Constable of Surrey Constabulary Captain Howard C Hastings is the longest-serving Chief Constable in Surrey Police history, serving from 1851 until his retirement in 1899.

A former Lieutenant in the East India Company Army, Hastings was widely addressed as ‘Captain’ after returning to civilian life and was appointed at the age of 38 by the Surrey Magistrates at the Quarter Sessions in late 1850s.

County administration had been done at the Quarter Sessions since the Middle Ages. Captain Hastings was viewed as an ‘officer and a gentleman’ capable of commanding respect and enforcing discipline.

‘Gentleman’

Captain Hastings had a difficult job recruiting men of the right calibre for the Constabulary.

He demanded that officers should be ‘honest and sober’, under 30 years old and at least 5’ 7” tall.

There was no minimum age for recruits – some constables were appointed at age 14 and 15 years old.

During his leadership, Captain Hastings had to establish multiple police stations, patrols and a strategy for policing across the county, which at the time included more lawless, rural communities alongside more crowded towns that are now part of Greater London.

New era for policing

He had to contend with the merging and then the breaking away of Guildford and Godalming Borough Forces and the creation of Reigate Borough Force.

Captain Hastings left a fantastic legacy by implementing a code of conduct that shaped a respected and efficient organisation.

A brave and highly respected public figure, Hastings overcame widespread scepticism, establishing a treasured countywide police force.

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