Mrs Dorian Addison
University Constable
The Senate House

Dorian Addison is Administrator of the Centre of African Studies and a University Constable.

The University Act 1825 gave the power to the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor to appoint University Constables. Once sworn in, they have the same powers as a police constable but only within a five mile radius of Great Saint Mary’s Church in the centre of Cambridge. Early records indicate that their powers were mostly used to stop drinking, fights and discourage undergraduate liaisons with prostitutes.

Most of the University’s formal events take place in the Senate House. Exam results are posted outside, graduation and honorary degrees are conferred here. Historically, students called to account for poor behaviour were put on trial here.