Police in History

Bow Street Runners

Jan 1, 1742

The Bow Street Runners become London's fist pseudo police/detective force. This originally had six persons and was an informal police agency.

Thames River Police

Jan 1, 1797

The Thames River Police are created in London by Patrick Colquhoun. This was one of the first police forces established in London (Paterson, 2015). Paterson, D. (2015). Thames Police: History - Origins. Retrieved from Thames Police Museum: http://www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk/h_police_1.html

London Metropolitan

Jan 1, 1829

Sir Robert Peel establishes the first "official" police force throughout the London, England area. These are uniformed officers who are tasked to patrol different areas of the city.

First U.S. Police

Jan 1, 1844

New York City Becomes the first official city in the U.S. to implement a police force. (Banton, 2015) Banton, M. (2015). Early Police in the United States. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/467289/police/36619/Early-police-in-the-United-States

School Resource Officer

Jan 1, 1953

Flint, MI becomes the first city to use School Resource Officers who would interact with students and protect the campus.

First U.S. Swat Team

Jan 1, 1964

The Philadelphia Police Department is the First to create a Special Weapons and Tactics team, called SWAT.