A Brief History of the Boston Police Department
The history of American law enforcement begins in Boston. The people of the town of Boston established a Watch in 1631, and the Town Meeting assumed control of the Watch in 1636. Watchmen patrolled at night, alert for criminals, wild animals, and fire. Their responsibilities grew along with the town, which in 1822 became the City of Boston. In 1838, Boston established a police force of 6 men under the supervision of a City Marshal. The Boston Watch of 120 men operated separately.
In 1854, the old police and watch organizations were abolished and the Boston Police Department was established with 250 officers. Each officer was paid $2.00 per day or night shift, could hold no outside employment, and walked his own beat. The bill hook of the old Watch was replaced with a 14 inch club.
In the late 19th century, Boston police provided charitable services that today are managed by other agencies. Police officers at each station served soup to the poor, first at the expense of the officers themselves and later with an allocation from the city. Newcomers to Boston might spend a night as a “lodger” in a police station. Police ambulances transported sick and injured citizens to City Hospital.
Boston annexed several neighboring towns in the 1870s and expanded police services to these neighborhoods. Telephone lines replaced the telegraph system that linked the central office with all police stations. A network of police call boxes was installed throughout the city in the 1880s, accessible by key to officers on patrol.
At the turn of the century, the Department employed 1000 patrolmen who made about 32,000 arrests annually. Officers’ duties now included regulating motor vehicle traffic and removing unruly passengers from streetcars. The first police automobile was purchased in 1903 and the first patrol wagon in 1912.
The Police Strike of 1919 made national headlines and changed the Department. The Department replaced nearly three-quarters of its force, filling the ranks with returning war veterans. In the 1920s, the Department dealt with Prohibition and accompanying crime. Police motorcycles were used to deal with ever increasing traffic. This was an especially deadly time for the Boston Police Department, with 16 officers killed in the line of duty between 1920 and 1930. The Depression brought a tighter city budget and a cut in police pay. During the World War II, many officers left the Department for several years to join the military.
Like many police departments in the 1960s, the Boston police were called upon to maintain order during periods of protest and unrest. With the advent of school desegregation in 1974, the Department deployed officers throughout the city to escort school children and ensure public safety. More recently, Boston’s commitment to community policing has measurably reduced crime and been studied by police departments across the country.
To meet the demands of 21st century policing, the Department built a state-of-the-art facility in 1997. While earlier police headquarters were near the centers of Boston government and commerce, the new BPD Headquarters is near the geographic center of the city in the Roxbury neighborhood. One Schroeder Plaza is named for brothers Walter and John Schroeder, two officers killed in the line of duty in the 1970s.
From innovations in police management and communications in the 19th century to cutting-edge technology and strategies today, the Boston Police Department continues to protect and to serve to all Bostonian and serve as a model to the nation.
Boston Police Historic Event Timeline
1631: Ordered, “that Watches be set at sunset.” An officer and 6 men appointed.
1636: Boston Town Meeting takes control of Watch
1703: Watch houses built in North End and on Boston Common.
1796: Watchmen required to carry a rattle.
1822: The Town of Boston became the City of Boston
1829: Watch officers’ pay increased to 60 cents per night.
1838: Law passed permitting day patrol. City had a day Police and a night Watch operating independently.
1852: Old hat badges replaced by brass badges with six-pointed star to be worn on coat.
1853: Captain and 10 men assigned to harbor police, supplied with rowboats and Colt revolvers.
1854: Boston Police Department established, structured after the model developed by Sir Robert Peele for the London police force.
1858: First uniforms issued.
1861: Police assist in war effort, guarding recruitment stations and capturing deserters from the Union Army and Navy.
1863: Entire force deployed during Draft Riot.
1872: The Great Fire of November 9th and 10th destroyed 776 buildings in downtown Boston. At the corner of Summer and Lincoln Streets, Police Officer John M. Page cranked the first alarm.
1873: First mounted patrol established.
1878: Department appoints first African-American officer. Horatio J. Homer would serve for more than 40 years, retiring as a Sergeant in 1919.
1885: Governor, rather than Mayor, has power to appoint Boston’s Board of Police Commissioners.
1889: Statute passed providing for right-of-way for patrol wagons and ambulances.
1896: Police boat the ”Guardian” commissioned. Park police began patrolling on bicycles.
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 fences.
1906: A single Boston Police Commissioner replaced the three member Board of Police Commissioners.
1919: Boston Police Strike – 1,117 policemen went on strike. Striking 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: increased salaries; more frequent days off; uniforms furnished at department expense.
1921: Department appointed six female officers. They were assigned to work with juveniles and female prisoners.
1926: Department moved to new Headquarters at 154 Berkeley Street.
1936: Department equipment includes 31 patrol wagons, 125 automobiles, 7 trucks, 37 motorcycles, and 1 boat.
1940: St. Valentine’s Day blizzard immobilized the city.
1942: Fire at Coconut Grove nightclub killed 490 people and injured 166.
1950: Famous Brink’s robbery occurred in the Brink’s Garage on Commercial Street.
1962: Mayor of Boston once again has power to appoint Police Commissioner.
1972: 9-1-1 emergency system implemented. A class of female recruits known as “Hogan’s Heroines” were issued guns and assigned to street patrol.
1974: Court ordered busing of public school students began, requiring the deployment of large forces throughout the city.
1978: The Blizzard of ‘78 immobilized Boston.
1995: Mobile Data Terminals become operational, allowing for prioritization of emergency calls.
1997: Boston Police Department moved to new Headquarters at One Schroeder Plaza.
2001: Department response to terror threat (security threat?) – includes establishment of BRIC, appointment of Deputy for Homeland Security, Joint Terrorism Task Force, etc.
2004: Boston host to Democratic National Convention. Years of planning and close cooperation between Boston Police Department and other agencies make for a safe and successful event.
2008: Shot-spotter technology installed in Boston neighborhoods, enabling police to immediately respond to gun violence.