either under the Burgh Police (Scotland) Act 1833 or by local Acts. The magistrates and town council of a burgh could agree with the commissioners of supply of a county to consolidate the burgh force with the county police. One or more members of the town council would be appointed to the county police committee in this case. Conversely, the Act allowed any burgh which had not yet established a police force to do so within six months of the passing of the Act. Burgh forces were also to be subject to inspection, but those unconsolidated burghs with a population of 5,000 or less were not permitted to avail of central government funds. Exceptions The Act did not automatically extend to Orkney and Shetland, although it could be applied by Order in Council on the request of the Sheriff of the county. The Act did not affect any police forces employed by railway or canal companies, or established by local act of parliament. References United Kingdom Acts of Parliament 1857 Acts of the Parliament of the United Kingdom concerning Scotland 1857 in Scotland Police legislation in the United Kingdom