Riding officer

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The Riding Officer was an occupation common during the eighteenth century around the coastlines of Britain. He was literally a customs officer on horseback who patrolled a stretch of coast between 4 and 12 miles in length. His job was to venture out in all weathers and ride back and forth looking out for smugglers. Riding officer duties included tackling the bands of smugglers (which would often outnumber him by a large amount) wielding just a cutlass and pistol, he could if he deemed it necessary fetch soldiers to assist in the arrest. This was a rare occurrence as the isolated and exposed coastlines common to smuggling were often many, many miles from any garrison or barracks. He was also responsible for prosecuting any captured felons, financing the court case from his own pocket.

It was an extremely dangerous job and often resulted in the officer being severely beaten and often murdered. What made the position even worse was that the riding officer was always recruited from the area to which he was assigned. This made him an outcast amongst his own family and friends (as most of the villagers would be hiding the goods or a member of the smuggling fraternity themselves). It was a very lonely vocation, having to ride out every night in all weathers for hours at a time looking for suspicious activity not knowing if you would be returning home safely.

He was appointed by a constitution of the Treasury, and had a deputation from the Commissioner of Customs. He took the oaths of office, and gave bond and security. He received printed instructions for his conduct with his deputation. He endeavored to get information as to any illicit practices, and makes seizures whenever he could.

The principal duty of the office was to visit the coast within their predefined riding range, to meet and correspond with the other riding officers either in person or by letter, and to inquire and learn if there were any smuggled goods upon the coast, or landed, and to get the best information regarding this booty, and to acquaint the Officers of the Customs all over the shire. He always kept a journal reporting all his activities.

He has paid between twenty to forty pounds a year, and was forbidden to take fees or gratuities. He was also expected to buy, care for and accommodate his own horse.^{[citation needed]}