Constables' Lodge and Christ Church Gate, Canterbury Cathedral, Kent
Agency executive
Chief Inspector Fred McCormack, Head Constable
Facilities
Stations
1
The Canterbury Cathedral Close Constables are a cathedral constabulary employed by Canterbury Cathedral to maintain order and security in and around the cathedral. They have the same police powers as regular police in the United Kingdom, including the power of arrest, within the cathedral and its precincts.[2]
The current head constable is Chief Inspector Fred McCormack.[3]
History
To professionalise security the Dean and Chapter, the body that administers Canterbury Cathedral, formed (resurrected) its own constabulary in 2016.[4][1]
Uniform and equipment
Everyday uniform for the Constables wear black cargo trousers, a black duty shirt/white shirt and tie displaying their Constabulary number and peaked cap with a blue and white Sillitoe tartan band.[1]
For ceremonial duties, a formal dark tunic, dark trousers and white shirt and tie are worn, along with the peaked cap. State medals (if issued) are worn on the left breast and Cathedral Constable Association (CCA) medals are worn on the right.[1]
Since 2016 the close constables have been permitted to use personal protection equipment, including a protective vest, handcuffs and a PR-24 tactical baton.[2]
Rank Structure
The close constables are led by a Superintendent/Head Constable,[5] who is supported by an operational Inspector and four Sergeants, each of whom leads a shift supported by four Corporals.
^"Canterbury Cathedral Wardens". British Police History. Retrieved 10 May 2021. It was the then security officer (an ex-police officer), who proposed to the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury the formation of its own security team. This was accepted and collectively they are now known as close constables. However, their individual title or rank is that of warden, a title used for many years at the Cathedral.
