Israel ChapmanPrint Page 
The NSW Police Force has honoured our nation’s first detective during a memorial service, more than 190 years after his designation. In 2018, the NSW Police Force Detectives Board engaged an archival and research team from the Rookwood Historical Cemetery, NSW State Archives, and NSW State Library to assist State Crime Command to identify NSW’s first detective designation.
Their research uncovered the colourful exploits of former convict Israel “Izzy” Chapman, which includes his policing career in NSW and the nation’s first designation, as appointed by then Governor of NSW, Sir Ralph Darling. The group also recovered and replicated his absolute pardon and the first fictional novel published in Australia – “The Adventures of George Flower: the Celebrated Detective Officer” – which honours the deeds of Detective Chapman.
It was also discovered that Detective Chapman was laid to rest in an unmarked grave at Rookwood Cemetery, which was located with the assistance of the Jewish Historical Society. Further research identified his descendants, who also became involved in the project.
With the assistance and funding of the Jewish Board of Directors and the Police Association, researches and Detective Chapman’s family made arrangements for a headstone to honour his contribution to law enforcement in NSW.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller and his Executive Team joined the Chapman family to place the headstone on his grave at Rookwood Ceremony on Wednesday (23 October 2019). The memorial reacknowledged Israel Chapman’s contribution to enforcing the law for the safety of colonial Australia.
Mirage News, October 26 2019.
Location
| Address: | Hawthorne Avenue, Jewish Section OGU, Grave 11, Rookwood Necropolis, Rookwood, 2141 |
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| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.874722 Long: 151.058333 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Grave |
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| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Government - Colonial |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 23rd October, 2019 |
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Israel Chapman
[ Inscription in Hebrew ]
Australia`s first Police Detective
Died July 4, 1868
Born of Jewish heritage in London, sentenced to Transportation for Life in Australia for crime, he arrived in Sydney on the convict ship "Glory" in 1818.
He fast became the Overseer of Hyde Park Convict Barracks and went on to join the Sydney Police.
Appointed the "George Street Runner" in 1827 by Governor of NSW, His Excellency Sir Ralph Darling, he was granted an Absolute Pardon that same year in recognition of his diligence to his duties in the service to NSW.
A fearless character that gained notoriety as a master of disguise, ruthless at finding and capturing bushrangers with his bare hands, he was wounded several times in the line of duty.
The 'Flower of Colonial Constables' his exploits were Immortalised in writing by Australia`s first novelist John Lang, his courageous achievements having their equal only in modern times.
Recognised on this day, October 23 2019, as the Nation`s first Police Detective, Israel "Izzy” Chapman forever takes his place of significance in the history of the NSW Police Force.
