Brisbane of the early 1860s was ‘not a very attractive city, with uniform streets, atrociously kept shops, and houses few and far between. Bullock teams frequently blocked the thoroughfare’. (So said WRO Hill) Policing Colonial Brisbane follows Queensland policemen on the colonial beat chronicling their experiences and observations, including an Irish lifer turned policeman; a detective constable; a prosecuting inspector; and finally, men and women that found themselves on the wrong side of the dock.
Slaters Pocket Map of the City of Brisbane, 1865
Dr Anastasia Dukova is currently researching local policing history for the State Library Queensland and will be presenting her findings on Policing Colonial Brisbane as part of the Monthly Sunday lecture series. She will outline experiences of colonial policemen and criminals, the difficulties impacting the policing response, the justice system and the individuals involved on both sides of the law.
A SCRUFFY BUNCH
Queensland Police officers, c1864
Image No. PM1946 Courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
This one-and-a-half-hour presentation from 11am on Sunday, February 24 will be both informative and educational and suitable for any audience.
The Museum opens its doors to the public on the last Sunday of each month from 10am to 3pm from February to November in addition to the standard Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm opening hours. Monthly Sunday openings feature guest speakers from across the historical and crime-solving spectrums.
PLEASE NOTE: The Police Museum will open Sunday, February 24 from 10am to 3pm, and is located on the ground floor of Police Headquarters, 200 Roma Street, Brisbane.