Sir Richard Mayne becomes sole Commissioner. 1856 Detective Force increased to 10 men, with an extra Inspector and Sergeant. The Commissioner Richard Mayne is paid a salary of 1,883, and his two Assistant Commissioners are paid salaries of 800 each. 1858 First acquisition of Police van for conveying prisoners. These were horse drawn, and known as 'Black Marias'.
Police begin the occasional use of hand ambulances for injured, sick or drunk people.
Accommodation or 'ambulance sheds' are later provided for these in police station yards. 1862 Further expansion in the Metropolitan Police with the formations of the X and W Divisions in the west, and Y Division in the north. 1863 Drunkenness is still a problem in the force, and in this year 215 officers were dismissed for this reason. 1864 Execution of 5 pirates of the ship 'Flowery Land' at Newgate. The Metropolitan Police supply nearly 800 officers to keep the peace.