in early 1840 charles william litchfield joined the newly formed (but short-lived) militia, the south australian volunteers, as its captain and adjutant, being thereafter generally known as captain litchfield. police sub-inspector alexander tolmer held the other adjutant position in the s.a.v. on 17 june 1840, litchfield was gazetted as a sub-inspector of the metropolitan (foot) branch of the south australia police. the man who appointed him was thomas shuldham o’halloran, then newly appointed as commissioner of police, and a former lieutenant of the 17th foot, with whom litchfield had served in india. o’halloran was also major-commandant of the s.a.v. militia.