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Police Index Notes
An explanation of the Police Index entries
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APPEAL OF This was either a pension claim see below, or an appeal in a court case.
ASSAULT Being attacked was another hazard, and this entry covers everything from a minor kick to GBH. Sometimes it is an assault by the officer.
BIOGRAPHY & PHOTO Usually a full scale recap of the man’s career including a photograph, although in WWI it may be brief.
CAPTURE BY Usually this is a bit of detection which the force was proud of. They make interesting reading.
CAREER OF Often a presentation or retirement entry which provides a career resume
CHARGES AGAINST Often an accusation of perjury or wrongful arrest, which seem to have been occupational hazards, but could be anything else
COMMENDED Usually a commendation by the Watch Committee or magistrates.
DEATH OF A report of the man's death and or funeral which may be a few lines or a page or more. Not the same as a death notice.
DEATH NOTICE A specific notice issued by the police mutual assurance association. They list name, age, length of service, date and cause of death.  A sort of basic Death Certificate.
DINNER Usually a dinner given to the man in appreciation. In some cases an account of his career is given. In other cases it is an after dinner speech.
DISMISSED Men were dismissed for a variety of reasons, typically being drunk, or neglecting their duty.
EDITORIAL A general article about the person concerned but not necessarily mentioning him.
EVIDENCE OF This would usually be testimony in a court case or an inquest of some sort.
KIA Killed in action. Entries may give an account of the event. This also includes accounts of medal winners.
KINGS POLICE MEDAL This was originated by Edward VII, but was first presented by George V and was usually presented for long service or acts of bravery. During WWI it was presented more frequently. The reference is often to a photo or at least an account of what the winner did.
MEDALS Various medals were awarded ranging from awards for bravery, first aid proficiency, life saving, long service and Victoria's Jubilee. In WWI entries sometimes relate the action which led to the award.
LETTER FROM During the Boer War and WWI serving men often sent letters to their friends back home, which were sometimes published.
OBITUARY These vary from a brief notice of the death to full scale coverage of the funeral etc. Generally the higher the rank, the greater the coverage, but not always. In some cases the man’s career was also recounted.
PENSION DETAILS OF Usually brief details of the annual amount paid to the man or his widow. Often gives length of service.
PENSION OR
PENSION PROBLEMS 		Pensions were a constant bone of contention and many men had to make appeals to the watch committee for them, especially in the case of disability. The entry usually lists the service of the officer and sometimes gives details of the appeal or case.
PHOTO Group and team photos, eg cricket, football, tug of war teams.
PRESENTATION This covers a wide variety of things, such as retirement or promotion presents, which may give you a clue to the origin of some family heirlooms. They may also be awards for saving lives, stopping horses etc. In many cases the events leading to the award are described. In some cases a career resume appears.
PROMOTED / TRANSFERRED Usually a brief mention of a move or promotion, but some are quite detailed.
LSHS/RHS/SPLF Various organisations gave awards for life saving. The Liverpool Shipwreck & Human Society, The Royal Humane Society, The Society for the Protection of Life from Fire among them.
METRO
DIVISIONS

Note that Chatham, Thames, Woolwich and Devonport are listed under Metro
Scotland Yard is also listed separately
Where possible a division is given, otherwise a district or area. As the Met's boundaries changed over time, divisions/districts are those which applied at the time
Where multiple divisions are given, the first is usually the earliest. Not all divisions may be listed.

REDUCED Reduced in rank and thereby pay. Punishment for serious offences.
REWARDED BSRF/CHF Bow Street Reward Fund and Carnegie Hero Fund. In many cases an account of the action is given which led to the reward.
RUNAWAY HORSES Many police were injured in trying to stop them. A successful stop often brought a reward. When times were hard the policemen often startled the horse themselves!
TRIBUTE TO Usually a speech of praise given when the man retired usually given by someone at the court where he regularly appeared, but it also may be a newspaper article
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