A Brief History of The Boston P.D.-The Oldest Police Dept.

[ErikJ]

A Brief History of The B.P.D.

The Move
In the fall of 1997, the Boston Police Department began a historic move from its former headquarters located at 154 Berkeley Street to its new headquarters located at the corner of Ruggles and Tremont streets in Lower Roxbury. The move marked both a new beginning and the closing of a significant chapter in the history of the Boston Police Department.

The Oldest Police Department
As the oldest police department in the country, the Boston Police Department (BPD) has a rich history and a well-established presence in the Boston community. The initiation of a formal department began in 1838, when the General Court passed a bill allowing the city of Boston to appoint police officers. The department was structured after the model developed by Sir Robert Peele for the London Police force.

The Boston Police Department was the first paid, professional public safety department in the country. First headquartered at City Hall on School Street, the department moved to 37 Pemberton Square, where it remained until construction began on 154 Berkeley Street headquarters in 1925. These new headquarters served the department well for many years, until 1997, when the department moved into its new state-of-the-art facility at One Schroeder Plaza.
Operations
The BPD has undergone many operational changes throughout the years as well. When first initiated by the city Council in 1824, the department, under the supervision of the city Marshall, was charged with "the care of the streets, the care of the common sewers, and the care of the vaults, and whatever else affects the health, security, and comfort of the city."

The first police force consisted of 260 officers and a chief. Each division had a captain and two lieutenants; sergeants were not appointed until 1857. In these early days, an officer on duty carried a six-foot pole, painted blue and white to protect himself, and a "police rattle" to call for assistance. Police communicated via a telegraph system that linked the central office and area police stations. In 1878, the first department telephones were installed on a trial basis.
Response

Over the years, the police department has responded to a wide range of public safety issues, from "night walkers" to armed robberies and homicides, and to public crises such as the Great Fire, the St. Valentine's Day blizzard, and the Coconut Grove fire. In responding to these public safety issues and protecting the public, the department has learned much, growing and evolving into one of the finest police departments in the country.
Today's department focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of the city's residents, combining the best neighborhood policing methods from the past with the latest state-of-the-art technologies to effectively protect and serve the public.
Headquarters Today

The new headquarters - equipped with perhaps the most advanced ID imaging and ballistics identification technology in the country, a DNA laboratory (one of only 18 departments in the country with in-house DNA testing capacity), enhanced 9-1-1, and a computer-aided Dispatch system linked to Mobile Date Terminals - will serve the department and the public well into the next century.

Chronology
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1635
First night watch established.
1788
The word "police" appeared for the fist time, designating a specific office, "Inspector of Police".
1822
The Town of Boston became the City of Boston. Increases in the population and in the number of businesses operating created increased demand for police patrol.
1838
Law passed permitting day patrol. City had a Day Police and a Night Watch, which by all accounts operated completely independently of one another.
1852
The metal badges were issued - a six point star made of brass.
1854
Boston Police Department established, structured after the model developed by Sir Robert Peele for the London police force.
1858
Telegraph system completed, linking central office and police stations.
1861
White cotton gloves worn by the officers for the first time. Thereafter, "full uniform" included the wearing of such gloves.
1870
180 "night walkers" were arrested; most were placed on probation and sent home.
1872
The Great Boston Fire of November 9 and 10 which destroyed 776 buildings. The fire was discovered by a patrolman who was chasing boys on Lincoln Street.
1873
First mounted patrol established.
1883
Department headquarters moved from City Hall to 37 Pemberton Square.
1889
Statute passed providing for right-of-way for patrol wagons and ambulances.
1903
First motor patrol wagon placed in service - a Stanley Streamer touring car operated by a chauffeur; the police officer sat on higher seat so that he could look over area's back fences.
1919
Boston Police Department Strike - 1,117 policemen went on strike. The officers were not allowed to return to work and were replaced by new officers who received the benefits the striking officers had tried to obtain; salaries were increased, more frequent days off, and uniforms were furnished at department expense.
1925
New Department Headquarters built at 154 Berkeley Street.
1940
St. Valentine's Day blizzard immobilized the city.
1942
Coconut Grove fire, resulting in the death of 490 people and injury to 166.
1950
Famous Brink's robbery occurred in the Brink's Garage on Commercial Street.
1972
Improved radio communication system placed in service, including "911".
1974
Court ordered busing began, requiring the deployment of large forces throughout the city.
1978
The Great Blizzard of 1978 hit, immobilizing the city for several days.
1995
Mobile date terminals become operational, allowing for prioritization of emergency calls.
1997
Boston Police Department moves into its current state-of-the-art Headquarters facility at One Schroeder Plaza.

http://www.cityofboston.gov/police/about/history.asp

[frazzled]

1. I remember the friendly Boston PD faces from 2003

When we marched (50,000 of us, if I recall) against the Iraq invasion. They were totally cool.