Air Force Department Constabulary

Originally the warders and later constabulary departments were under direct control of the commanding officer of the unit at which they served.

In 1942 a superintendent was appointed to RAF Maintenance Command, which was the main user of the constabulary, to advise on police matters.

Later in the same year, the superintendent was moved to the Air Ministry and the beginnings were made to centralise control.

During World War II, the constabulary increased to a peak strength of 3,530 men.

[3] Reductions in the RAF, the relinquishing of control over civil airports and the introduction of more economical methods of policing saw the size of the force decrease to some 1155 men.