Underworld
Underworld
Behind the scenes: How to read a ‘special’
Around the world, police forces followed established conventions when taking mugshots. But Sydney police in the 1920s did things differently
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Big Bill MacKay
William John MacKay (1885–1948), known as Bill, was a Scottish-born police officer who played a major role in policing Sydney’s underworld during the 1920s
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Bosses
Sydney’s underworld bosses were tough, resolute and violent – mess with one and you would know you had been in a fight
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Central Police Station – a policeman’s critique
Most of the Special photographs were taken in the yards at Sydney’s Central Police Station, located in the central business district next to the Central court complex
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Fallen soldiers
After the universal upheaval of World War I, many soldiers found it difficult to take up their former occupations and adjust to civilian life
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Flappers
The flapper was an alluring vision of sophistication and freedom for young women globally
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Gangs
The lure of easy money from the illicit alcohol, drug and gambling trades encouraged the formation of new crime gangs
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NSW Police ‘Specials’
People in the Specials photographs were yet to have their day in court. The lack of signs that the person was in custody, such as handcuffs, meant the images could be shown to a witness during a criminal investigation without prejudicing the person against the suspect