A historically important book relating directly to the formation of the police forces of England and Wales. 417 page report .......'REPORT: TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY'.'His Late Majesty King William IV., having been pleased to issue a Commission under the Great Seal, bearing date the 20th October 1836, authorising and directing the Commissioners therein named to inquire as to the best means of establishing an efficient Constabulary Force in the counties of England and Wales, for the prevention of offences, the detection and punishment of criminal, the due protection of property, and the more regular observance of the laws of the realm'.Despite rising crime levels, and much political unrest associated with the Chartist Movement, most counties retained the old and ancient system of the Parish Constable. The appointed parish constables were part time, poorly paid and occassionally totally unpaid. Quite understandably, the post attracted people of a low calibre, and mostly whom that were unwilling to risk life and limb in order to make an arrest.Many were against the idea of a uniformed and paid force and openly opposed it. The major fear was that the police would be used to arrest opponents of the government, stop protests and destroy free speech.The Municipal Corporations Act of 1835, allowed Borough Councils to organise a more professional and paid police force but few of them seemed eager to implement the law. By 1837, only about one third of Boroughs had organised a police force.Following the highly successful creation of the Metropolitan Police (London) in 1829, policing the whole country was seen as a natural progression. As a result the County Police Act 1839 (also known as the Rural Police Act or the Rural Constabularies Act) was brought about, thus enabling Justices of the Peace to establish police forces in their own respective counties.The Act was not compulsory, and Constabularies were only established in 25 out of 55 counties by 1856, when the County and Borough Police Act of 1856 was introduced, making their provision mandatory.This resulted in the Magistrates creating a small 'trial' force within the north eastern side of Glamorganshire. This small trial force proved very popular and was such a success that a larger and county-wide Constabulary was formed in 1841. The rest as they say....is history!The book was printed by W. Clowes & Sons, Stamford Street for Her Majesty's Stationery Office. 1839.This copy of the Report was given to the Earl of Stradbroke. On the inside front cover written in ink is the signature 'Stradbroke 1839'.Now, it forms part of the Ross Mather Police memorabilia of Wales Collection