Dublin Metropolitan Police Division D

Established in 1836 the Dublin Metropolitan Police Division D patrolled a section of Dublin. It was one of four initial divisions A and B to the south of the Liffey and C and D to the north. Imagine the bustling streets of 19th-century Dublin. Division D officers kept order amidst the chaos. They were part of a larger force modeled after London’s Metropolitan Police. Their uniforms were almost identical. This was a conscious decision. It aimed to project an image of professionalism and order. The Dublin Police Act of 1836 established the DMP. It was an unarmed force. This was a significant departure from previous policing methods. It also reflected public concerns about a powerful armed police force. Division D’s officers faced many challenges. The 1880s Land War saw them facing considerable pressure. Hundreds of policemen were injured during protests and strikes. The 1913 Dublin Lock-out was another testing time. Two men died and many were injured including hundreds of policemen. Despite accusations of brutality the police were officially cleared of wrongdoing. Their reputation however suffered. During the War of Independence Division D played a more neutral role than the RIC. They avoided large-scale confrontations. Their casualties were far fewer than the RIC’s. Yet some members of Division D actively assisted the IRA. Edward Broy a detective sergeant is a prime example. He provided valuable intelligence to Michael Collins. In the 1996 film Michael Collins Broy’s fate is dramatically altered. The film depicts his capture torture and death. In reality he survived and later became Commissioner of the Garda Siochana. Division D’s history is full of contrasting stories. It shows the complexities of policing during a period of immense social and political upheaval. The Dublin Metropolitan Police Division D ceased to exist in 1925. It was absorbed into the Garda Siochana. Division D’s legacy lives on. It is a part of Dublin’s rich and often turbulent history. Its story reminds us of the constant tension between order and rebellion in the city’s past.