BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY: BLACKS IN BRITAINS POLICE FORCE:

People claim that the first Black Police Officer was in 1967, but 130's before then, a black man, John Kent was appointed in August 1837 as constable to Carlisle City Police Force, having already served as an appointed to the Magistrates in Maryport.  It is believe he arrived as a seaman at White haven where he was given freedom, it seems likely he was enslaved from a West African port, but proved his ability as a seaman, making several trips across the Atlantic and he may have been given the sun name after his ship, The Kent which his recorded as a slave ship.

So unusual at the time that it is believed that the cry of " Black Kent's Coming" was often used to frighten mischievous children into better behavior. Kent continued to work in Carlisle after he retired from decades in the force and when aged 88yrs was recorded as an attendant at the London and North Western Company's waiting room third class at Citadel Station.