Hendon Police College

Hendon Police College is the principal training centre for the Metropolitan Police of London, England. It is situated on Aerodrome Road, Colindale, London NW4.

Today more properly called the Peel Centre, although frequently still referred to by its old name (or just called Hendon within the police), the centre is run by the Director and Co-ordinator of Training for the Metropolitan Police. Between 1,500 and 2,000 police recruits pass through the centre each year. The centre runs courses on many aspects of police work, from forensic and crime scene analysis, to radio operations and driving skills. Police officers can expect to return to the centre at various times during their career. Part of the centre is dedicated to the investigations of serious crimes, including homicide. There are extensive sports facilities.

The Metropolitan Police Book of Remembrance is displayed in the entrance of Simpson Hall at the centre, and there is also a memorial garden.

History

The College was opened in June 1934 by the Prince of Wales, in the erstwhile buildings of Hendon Country Club, Hendon Aerodrome 's club house (which had been used briefly as laboratories of the Standard Telephones and Cables company). The school was the brainchild of Lord Trenchard (portrait), who was Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis from 1931 to 1935. His experiences as second-in-command of the Royal Flying Corps Central Flying School in 1915 gave him a suitable background for the venture, whilst the location would have been known to him from his time as Chief of the Air Staff (1921–1929).

Trenchard's college was founded upon a modern and scientific approach to training. There were forensic laboratories, detective training facilities, and a police driving school. The college was closed between 1939 and 1949. When the Royal Air Force left Hendon in the 1960s, the Metropolitan Police decided to rebuild the college, and the new Peel Centre [1], named after Sir Robert Peel, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974.