Britain’s first black police officer, John Kent

Motion Text

That this House pays tribute to Britain’s first black police officer, John Kent who died on 20 July 1886; notes that John Kent was the son of a freed slave, Thomas Kent; further notes that John Kent began his policing career in Maryport, Cumbria in 1835 before transferring to the Carlisle City Police in 1837; commends John Kent for his service, in particular his policing of the Carlisle election riots during which he and other officers were injured; and asks that the Speaker’s Advisory Committee on Works of Art consider commissioning a portrait of Britain’s first black police officer to mark the 220th anniversary of John Kent’s birth which falls in 2025.