NRS-11963 | Indexes to Charge books [Wee Waa Police Station]

Full description

Since 1862 there has been an obligation to create Charge books. “The Sergeant, senior Constable, or Constable on duty at the watchhouse received all charges against prisoners brought in by different Constables, ascertained their nature and if satisfied it was a proper charge was to: enter name of each prisoner and the particulars of the offence in a book he shall keep for the purpose, to be called a ‘Charge Book’.” Prisoners property was also to be entered into the charge book. (1)

This series consists of Indexes to Charge books (numbers 3-15; 25-27) from the Wee Waa Police Station. The series lists the surname of the offender with either a charge number or a Charge book number and page number.

The format and details recorded varies slightly over time. The index is listed alphabetically under the surname of the offender and in chronological order. Some are also divided under Charge book headings.

Police Stations replaced charge books with the COPS system (Computerised Operational Policing System) in 1994. Occasionally a hard copy backup was kept during the introduction of the COPS system. Some stations also used the interim Charge books and indexes- on-line charging records computer system while COPS was introduced.

Endnote
1. NSW Government Gazette No.49, 1 March 1862. p.498.