Redan Police Station

The Redan Police Station was in operation from <1870-1947>.

Location
In 1872 the police station was in a house in Skipton Street, near the corner with Darling Street. Identified as 611 Skipton Street in 1917.

History
In March 1872, the cottage which housed the police station was offered for sale: "Five-room WEATHERBOARD COTTAGE, of substantial construction, good condition and appearance, and used for Police Station, opposite Redan Club Hotel, Skipton Street (near junction of Darling street, having 54 feet frontage by 165 feet deep; nice garden and neat fence. Residence area."

Something went wrong in 1884 (further research needed here!): "The dispute at the Redan Police Station has resulted in the reprimanding and transferring of Sergeant Crowley and Constables Delaney and Quilter, O'Reilly's case being left over for further inquiry."

In September 1898 it was reported that the telephone had been connected to the station.

In July 1913 the Chief Commissioner visited Ballarat to look at proposals for cost saving in the way police stations were organised. This included closing the Redan station and basing the force in Sebastopol.

In June 1947, residents were calling for the police station to be reopened: "Redan wants police station restored. Ballarat City Council has endorsed a request by 700 Redan residents for restoration of a permanent police station there."

In July 1947 the police commissioner responded that they did not have a suitable building in Redan: "Police station is his only home. Mr Duncan, Chief Commissioner of Police, has informed the Ballarat City Council that the Redan police station had to be closed because it was also the only residence available to the recently retired constable who had been in charge of it. The constable was compelled to remain in occupation because he could not find another home, Mr Duncan said. The Police Department would be glad to hear from the council if any suitable premises became available, but meanwhile, with the allocation of police to Ballarat South. Redan was not likely to suffer from lack of police protection."

The cases
As a small suburban station, the police handled a wide assortment of crimes and problems in the community.
 * "The Wild Man of Redan" - May 1872
 * "Police Misconduct" - (Assault) - December 1872
 * "Digging in the Garden" - (Breaking the Sabbath) - October 1879
 * "The Body in the Creek" - Suicide, June 1881
 * The "Baby in the Garden" (Infanticide) - August 1881
 * Throwing stones at a Chinaman - August 1881
 * The "Strawberry Onslaught" - November 1885
 * The "Windermere Street Tragedy" - (Patricide) - October 1898
 * The "Sebastopol Street Push" - (Vandalism) - September 1899
 * An "Axe-wielding Woman" - (domestic violence) - January 1902
 * The "Vicious Dog" - January 1903
 * The "Redan Bomb Outrage" - (Attempted murder), June 1904
 * The "Stolen Masonic Regalia" - (theft), July 1904
 * The "Incorrigible Fruit Thief" - (theft), February 1905
 * The "Smelly House" - (unclean abode), August 1905 and September 1906
 * The "Noise Maker" - (Rowdy youth) - February 1906.
 * The "Flying flathead" - (Theft) - May 1909
 * A "Wilful Clergyman (Indecent exposure) - August 1914
 * The "Snake in the Ceiling" - June 1919
 * The "Redan shooting case" - December 1920
 * "A cry in the night" - (Suspected Murder) - July 1923

An on what must have been one memorable evening in October 1879, the problem came to them: "DRUNK. - A woman who had on the previous evening paid a visit to the Redan police station in a state of intoxication refusing to leave when called upon to do so and otherwise had shown contempt for the law and the guardians of the peace, was fined 5s."

Inquests

 * August 1881 - unknown male baby.
 * February 1901 - On Ernest McDonald, who drowned in the Redan quarries.

Policemen
Many policemen served at the Redan Police Station: "REMOVAL OF CONSTABLE DOYLE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR. Sir, —I see by advertisement that it is the intention of the department to remove Constable Doyle from the Redan district. Now, Sir, in my opinion it is a grave mistake for the department, district, and the gentleman concerned. I have known the Redan district for more than a quarter of a century. During that time I have seen many changes, but a more painstaking or efficient officer cannot come to the district. He is honest, strict, and just. Yours, &c., THOS CARVOSOE. 98 Ripon street, Ballarat, 9th October." "Sergt. Morey, who has been in charge of the Redan police station for some years past, and who has proved himself a capable and courteous officer, has received notice of his transfer to Armadale." "We recommend that Constable Stallard of Redan be appointed to enforce the bylaws of the city in that district."
 * Constable Batchup (1929) - transferred to Lexton.
 * Senior-constable Richard Blanchfield c1911-1916, officer in charge.
 * Constable Brennan (1883-1886). Officer in charge 1883. Involved in the capture of the men who robbed Dale's Drapery, 1886.
 * Constable Edward Crimmins (1917) - found dead at the police station in March 1917.
 * Sergeant Crowley (1884) - reprimanded and transferred.
 * Constable Delaney (1884) - reprimanded and transferred.
 * Constable Michael Doyle (1881). A a newspaper announcement that Doyle was to be relocated in 1881 drew this response:
 * Senior-constable Elliot <1932, officer in charge, transferred to Ballarat North.
 * Senior Constable C. Evans, (1910), officer in charge
 * Senior-constable Thomas Finn (1916-1917) - officer in charge.
 * Constable Grace (1872) - fined for assaulting a prisoner.
 * Constable John Alfred Hooley (1901-1914).
 * Constable A. V. Kent (1925).
 * Senior Constable Kirk (1924) - appointed officer in charge.
 * Constable Archibald McFarlane, 1920, officer in charge.
 * Constable Miller (1929) - transferred from Mildura.
 * Constable Moran (1872) - officer in charge.
 * Sergeant Morey - officer in charge, <1924:
 * Senior Constable Perry (1906) - transferred from Buninyong to be officer in charge.
 * Constable Quilter (1884) - reprimanded and transferred.
 * Constable Riordan - (1878).
 * Constable Serpell (1906) - officer in charge.
 * Constable Charles James Stallard (1892-1901) - appointed as Council bylaws officer in 1892:
 * Constable Taylor (1886). Involved in the capture of the men who robbed Dale's Drapery.
 * First-constable Thornton, 1932, appointed officer in charge.