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Boston Police Department
Boston Police Department
Boston Police Department
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Boston Police Department

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The Boston Police Department was formally organized in 1854, but the department traces its origins to the establishment of a night watch of six men and an officer in 1631. At a town meeting in 1701, watchmen were instructed to be "on duty from ten o'clock till broad daylight. . . . They are to go about silently with watch bills, not using any bell, and no watchman to smoke tobacco while walking their rounds; and when they see occasion, to call to persons to take care of their light." Today, the duties of the Boston police officer are supported by advanced forensic technologies and modern equipment. Officers walk neighborhood beats, control local crime, and are ready at a moment's notice to respond to acts of terrorism. Boston Police Department, the first comprehensive photographic history of the department, details one hundred fifty years of crime fighting in Boston. The collection includes images of the 1919 Boston Police Strike; an overview of specialized units, vehicles, uniforms, and equipment; and an honor roll of officers who have fallen in the line of duty.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateOct 3, 2003
ISBN9781439612040
Boston Police Department
Author

Donna M. Wells

Donna M. Wells established the Boston Police Departments Record Center and Archives in 1997 and serves as the department's records manager and archivist. She has a master's degree in library and information science. Prior to joining the Boston Police Department, Wells worked for the Pinkerton detective agency at the 1980 Winter Olympics, and as an operative for a private investigations firm. Paul F. Evans was appointed a Boston patrolman on December 30, 1970, and has served as police commissioner since 1994. The author will donate a portion of the royalties from the sale of this book to the Boston Police Relief Association.

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    Boston Police Department - Donna M. Wells

    2003

    INTRODUCTION

    The nation’s oldest police department, the Boston Police Department, celebrates its formal 150th anniversary in 2004, but the department traces its origins to the establishment of the Night Watch with an officer and six men in 1631. That organization functioned more along the lines of a military guard, but by 1635, the Night Watch consisted of property-owning male citizens over the age of 16 who were required to take the duty by turn. They were unpaid until 1703, when the pay was set at 35 shillings a month.

    In 1749, written rules were first drafted for the government of the Watch. In 1796, the Watch was reorganized and the watchmen carried a badge of office, a hook with a bill, and the rattle, a noise-making devise used for calling for assistance.

    On December 12, 1825, Watchman Jonathan Houghton became the first Boston law-enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. He was killed on State Street by John Halloran, who was hung for the crime in March 1826. Watchman Houghton’s name, along with that of David Estes, who was killed in 1848, was recently sponsored by the department for inclusion on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., and the inclusion was approved in 2002.

    In 1838, the Day Police was organized, having no connection with the Night Watch. It operated under the city marshal, and six officers were appointed. In 1846, the force was reorganized, with 22 officers on the day shift and 8 night officers.

    In 1852, the office of city marshal was abolished, and the office of chief of police was created. Francis Tukey, who had been the marshal, was appointed the first chief of police.

    In 1853, the Harbor Police was created in response to the increase in robberies of occupied vessels in the waters of Boston Harbor. The policemen were furnished with rowboats and armed with Colt revolvers. This was the first unit furnished with firearms.

    In May 1854, the Boston Night Watch and Day Police were disbanded, and the Boston Police Department came into being. Robert Taylor was appointed chief of police. On the very first evening of the reorganization, the entire force was called out to suppress the riot caused by the arrest of the fugitive slave Anthony Burns. The old hook and bill, which had been in use for 154 years, was replaced by a 14-inch club. The central office was located in the old courthouse in Court Square. There were eight station houses, located at the following locations: the old Hancock School at 209 Hanover Street in the North End; 21 Court Square at Williams Court; Leverett Street in the West End; the rear of Boylston Market at the Washington Street and Boylston Street intersection; Canton Street Place in the South End; 194 West Broadway in South Boston; Paris Street in East Boston; and Lincoln’s Wharf (the Harbor Police).

    In 1858, Boston officers put on uniforms for the first time. The chief wore a blue dress coat with tails, black pants, a buff merino vest, and a black top hat with a gold star in a rosette on the hat. The deputy chief wore a blue frock coat, blue or black pants, a light buff vest, and a black top hat with a gold star or enameled leather. Captains wore blue dress coats with tails, buff marseilles vests, black pants, and black top hats. Lieutenants and patrolmen wore double-breasted, dark-blue frock coats, dark-blue pants, and black silk, satin, or cotton vests, depending on the season. Lieutenants wore black top hats, and patrolmen wore black billed caps.

    Barney McGinniskin was the first Irishman appointed to the force c. 1862. He was assigned to Division 4, but Marshal Tukey refused to assign him street duty. McGinniskin worked inside the station for about three years before Tukey fired him.

    In 1863, the officers were supplied with 24-inch clubs. At this time, the officers did not officially carry firearms.

    In 1865, upon the completion of the new city hall, the central office moved there from the old courthouse in Court Square.

    In 1871, the central office was connected to all the station houses by telegraph. Prior to this, the only communication method was by messenger.

    At approximately 7:30 p.m. on November 9, 1872, the Great Boston Fire started. It was reportedly discovered by a Patrolman Page

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