Succeeding Mr. Standish as Chief Commissioner in 1881 was Mr. H.M. Chomley, the first policeman to hold such an office.

Mr. Chomley retired in 1902 and Mr. Thomas O'Callaghan was appointed to the vacancy. Mr. O'Callaghan joined the Force in 1867 and for many years had been a prominent detective. No change had been made in the system of training recruits that consisted of about a fortnight's drill and an occasional lecture by an officer on police duties.

During the years 1904 to 1913 the strength of the Force was increased to 200, bringing the total number in the Force to 1,735.

Mr O'Callaghan retired in 1913 and Mr. George Sainbury was appointed as Chief Commissioner. Mr. Sainsbury joined the Service in 1878 and, like his predecessor, was selected for detective duties. During his period of office no alteration was made in the system of training recruits.

No increase in the authorised strength of the Force was made during the 1914-1918 war, but between 1919 and 1923 it was increased by another 100 men. Mr Sainsbury retired in 1919.

Sir George Steward was appointed to succeed Mr. Sainsbury and, at the time of his appointment, was a Colonel in the Army, with no police experience to guide him. However, he realised that, apart from training in drill, the recruits should be given some elementary instructions in police duties, and he may be said to have laid the foundation of the present course of recruit training. Sir George died suddenly on 11th May 1920 after having held the position of Chief Commissioner for 15 months.

Mr Sydney Heathershaw, who was Secretary to the Police Department, was appointed to carry on temporarily until 2nd September 1920, when Major-General Sir John Gellibrand, who had a brilliant career as a soldier in the 1914-1918 war, was appointed Chief Commissioner, which post he held until February of 1922 when he resigned.

Mr. Alexander Nicholson, who joined the Police Force in 1883, followed Sir John. His term of office was interrupted by the police strike in November 1923, when 636 men refused duty and were never re-appointed.

The Victorian Police Strike - 1923

At the time of the appointment of Chief Commission Nicholson the Victoria Police was badly under strength, their pension scheme had been discontinued, and the police were seeking the same pay, annual leave and uniform concessions as the New South Wales Police. Chief Commissioner Nicholson, a country career policeman, introduced an additional form of supervision of beat policemen in the metropolitan area. These supervisors worked in plain clothes, and were known and hated as "Spooks". It was this grievance that was the catalyst that led to the Victoria Police Strike on the 2nd November 1923. The force consisted of 1,750 members, and on this night and the following day, 636 policemen were to withdraw their services over the termination of two spokesmen, Constables Brooks and Pits, and the discharging of 46 constables who refused duty until the hated "Spooks" were removed from supervisory duties.

On Friday night 2nd November 1923, late night shopping had concluded, and a large crowd gathered in the city streets. The remaining police and Specials were hard put to control the crowd, but were remarkably successful that night. The following night was a different story. The crowds went wild, and the police and Specials were unable to control the crowds. They plundered, robbed and damaged property wherever there was the likelihood of illicit gain; shops such as Leviathan, London Stores, Canns, Buckley's Stores and many others had their windows broken, and goods passed out for distribution amongst the waiting mob.

To protect Federal Government property in Melbourne the Federal Government posted detachments of its permanent naval, military and air force within the Melbourne area for guard duties. Federal troops were not used to restore order in Melbourne. A Special Constabulary Force under General Monash, and a committee called the "Citizen's Committee, were used in conjunction with the remaining police to restore order. The Specials totalled 5,000 men, and were scattered around thirty depots in the suburbs of Melbourne. The recruiting of Specials ceased on the 10th November and demobilisation commenced on the 12th November 1923. The last Special was discharged in June 1924.

On Wednesday 7th November 1923, the premier mad a speech in the Legislative Assembly:

"..... a number of men who had sworn to serve the State in the capacity of members of the Police Force have left their post of duty and there has been in the city bordering on civil commotion. The effect.... has been to let loose in this community a lawless element. Men have been killed, shops looted, property stolen, and life and liberty gravely menaced. The Government has ..... rebuilt an organisation for the preservation of law and order in this community."

The result of this strike was the final and complete termination of services of 636 policemen who struck in support of their comrades, Brooks and Pitts. The cost to the State Government was estimated by the Treasury at £78,262, which did not take into account the business people of the city who suffered serious losses as a result of the riots and looting during the strike period. The strikers were never reinstated, and the main body of police had to wait until the Royal Commission into the Police Strike had been completed before their pension rights were reinstated and pay increments. The "Spooks", however, were withdrawn immediately after the restoration of law and order in the city of Melbourne

Victoria Police Time Line.

Links:

• Victorian Police Force
• Western Australian Police Service