Metropolitan Police strike of 1872

The Metropolitan Police strike was a refusal to work by 179 men of D, E and T Divisions of the Metropolitan Police of London on 16 November 1872. It was a response to the dismissal of PC Goodchild and poor pay and conditions.

The police were back on duty within hours. Of the 179 men who refused duty, 69 were dismissed from the force. The rest were allowed back on duty after having had apologised for their conduct. They gained improvements in pay and conditions, but did not form a trade union - most officers considered the police a quasi-military institution and so would not consider this. This action was significant for establishing a precedent for collective action by police in order to improve working conditions.[1]