William Johnson (police officer)

Sir William Clarence Johnson, CMG, CBE, QPM (8 May 1899 – 9 March 1982) was an eminent English police officer.[1][2]

For the American prohibitionist and law enforcement officer, see William E. Johnson (prohibitionist).

Johnson was born in Eastbourne, Sussex, in 1899, and educated at Willowfield. Though underage, in August 1914 when the First World War broke out he enlisted in the British Army, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant with the Royal Engineers.[1]

He joined Portsmouth City Police in 1920. He was promoted to sergeant in 1924 and five years later was promoted to inspector and chief clerk. In 1931, he was appointed superintendent in charge of the Headquarters' Division.[3] In 1932, he was appointed as Chief Constable of Plymouth City Police. He became Assistant Chief Constable of Birmingham City Police in 1936. He was appointed Chief Constable in Birmingham in 1941. He served with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary from 1945 to 1963, including roles as Inspector General of the Colonial Police from 1948 to 1951, chairman of the Police Salaries Commission, Malta, in 1960. In 1962–63, he was Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary inaugural Chief.[4]

He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1936[5] and Commander of the same order in 1945.[6] In 1951, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.[7] He was knighted in 1957.[1]

In 1918, he married Louisa May Humphreys. He died at a Worthing nursing home, aged 82.[8]

References
  1. "Obituary: Sir William Johnson". The Times. The Times Digital Archive. 12 March 1982. p. 14.
  2. HMIC Profile, justiceinspectorates.gov.uk. Accessed 25 January 2023.
  3. "Assistant Chief Constable of Birmingham – Mr. W. Johnson Appointed". Portsmouth Evening News. 17 January 1936. p. 13. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  4. Hansard
  5. "No. 34585". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1938. p. 4014.
  6. "No. 37119". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 June 1945. p. 2953.
  7. "No. 39421". The London Gazette (Supplement). 28 December 1951. p. 4.
  8. "Former city police chief dies at 82". Birmingham Mail. 11 March 1982. Retrieved 22 October 2023.


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