History of Policing

First Night Watch

1635

The city of Boston establishes first "Night Watch" in which officers served part time without any pay.

First Federal Law Enforcement Officers

1789

The United States Congress creates the first Federal law enforcement officer, the United States Marshal. Thirteen U.S. Marshals were appointed by President George Washington

First Killed Officer

1791

Sheriff Cornelius Hogeboom of Hudson, New York, was shot as becoming the first known law enforcement officer to be killed in duty.

The First Professional Policemen

1829

The first professional policemen, in England, known as 'Peelers' or 'Bobbies', were set up in London in 1829 by Robert Peel

Oldest Law Agency

1835

Texas creates what was later to become the Texas Rangers, the oldest statewide law enforcement agency in America.

Unifroms

1853

New York was the first to institute dress code, dark blue, like the British ones.

First Department to Issue Pistols

1857

The City of Baltimore becomes the first police department to issue pistols to their officers.

First City To Issue Uniforms

1858

Police departments in Boston and Chicago issue uniforms to their officers.

Secret Service Establishment

1865

On the day he was shot, President Lincoln approves the formation of what is now the United States Secret Service.

First African American Officer Killed

1870

Officer William Johnson becomes the first African American police officer to be killed in the line of duty.

First of More Than 500 Dead

1870

Thomas J. Smith becomes the first of more than 585 Police Chiefs to die in the line of duty.

First Female Officer

1891

Marie Owens is appointed to the Chicago Police Department as a police officer assigned to the Detective Bureau, becoming the nation’s earliest-known female sworn law enforcement officer.

First National Police Group

1893

The first national police group is formed, the National Chiefs of Police Union, which would later become the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Fingerprinting

1902

Fingerprinting is first used in the United States by law enforcement.

First Agency to Have all Cars

1914

The Berkeley (CA) Police Department becomes the country's first agency to have all patrol officers using automobiles.

First Female Officer to Get Killed

1916

Anna Hart, a jail matron for the Hamilton County (OH) Sheriff's Office, becomes the first female law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty.

Deadliest Year

1930

The single deadliest year in law enforcement history, with 307 officers killed.

Uniform #2

1950

U.S. uniform included, blue pants, blue shirt, and a flat cap with a visor in the front.

Uniform #3

1965

Due to riots and cases from police corruption, they police department changed to a lighter blue

First Body Armour

1974

Police start wearing soft body armor to protect themselves against handgun assaults.