Oldest Police Force in N. America?

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Texas Star

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In the thread about the weird cap on a MA cop on TV, someone said that they started law enforcement here back East. I think the Texas Rangers (1835) are the oldest police in North America.

The RCMP dates from maybe 1867, when Canada became a separate Dominion. (That force was re-named about three times. Originally Northwest Mounted Police, I think.)

When did NYC, Boston, etc. get police? The states there?

I need to look up when Sir Robt. Peel established the Met. Police in London. Used to know...I think that was the beginning of regular cops as we know them.
 
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You can get an argument about whether the term "cop" (or "copper") is an acronym for Constable On Patrol or a reference to copper badges.
 
shouldazagged said:
Sir Robert Peel formed the first police force in 1829. London cops are still called bobbies in his honor.
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Yes, bobbies, and sometimes "peelers". I think the latter name is now much less common. Any UK or former Brit members know? LVSteve?
 
Even though Halifax was founded in 1749, our police force wasn't made official until 1864. The Northwest Mounted police actually wasn't formed until 1873. The winner (at least in Canada) is the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary, who were formed in 1729!
 
The US Customs Service goes back to 1789. However since your original question was oldest police force in N. America so far our Canadian friend is in the lead. Though there might be an older Police Force in Florida or Mexico.
 
Wow! Some of these go back much farther than I'd dreamed!

Any formal LE outfit qualifies for the thread. But I was amused to see that US Customs was busy by 1789. I believe the reason was to operate REVENUE cutters? The govt. got after our money early on.

Dragonfly, thanks for your info. I was stunned to know that Newfoundland had a constabulary service far before even England did! Your posts are always interesting and informative. Thanks for the data on what became the RCMP. I read that in a classics comic book about the force as a kid, and had forgotten the 1873 date. Is 1867 correct for the formation of the Dominion of Canada? And did Newfoundland and Labrador join Canada as a province in 1949? I was stationed there with the USAF, and think I recall that date from literature that I found then. I wrote to provincial sources for background. I think I was the only American on the base who cared. The rest just wanted to serve their time and get back to what we called The World.
 
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Texas Star said:
I read that in a classics comic book about the force as a kid, and had forgotten the 1873 date. Is 1867 correct for the formation of the Dominion of Canada?
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Thank you for your kind comments--yes, you are correct. Canada's confederation was in 1867, but at that time, only included the eastern provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (and only small portions of present-day Ontario and Quebec). The NWMP's territory was west of there, and after Manitoba and British Columbia joined in 1870 and 1871 there was a need for a western police force.

Texas Star said:
And did Newfoundland and Labrador join Canada as a province in 1949? I was stationed there with the USAF, and think I recall that date from literature that I found then. I wrote to provincial sources for background. I think I was the only American on the base who cared. The rest just wanted to serve their time and get back to what we called The World.
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And you are correct here as well! The referendum to join was very close--52% to 48%--and there's still some (not necessarily misplaced) resentment over how they've been treated by the federal government. Newfoundland must've been very remote then--even now, there are lots of smaller communities only reachable by boat.
 
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Muley Gil said:
Nope, got you beat!

The Division of Capitol Police dates back to 1618, 11 years after the Jamestown settlement in Virginia, two years before those Pilgrams landed in Plymouth, Mass.



The Division of Capitol Police Commonwealth of Virginia - History
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Darn! I dunno... in 1618, those 10 men were Governor's bodyguards, not really community law enforcement. So I think we're tied at 1663 still.

However, now that I've read about the Jersey City Police, I will concede that so far, they are the oldest at 1661. :D
 
Now a new quest. Figure out which department had the earliest department marked Smith & Wesson revolvers.
 
lawandorder said:
Now a new quest. Figure out which department had the earliest department marked Smith & Wesson revolvers.
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Wonder if that's possible. Good question. I don't thnk that NYC standardized on a sidearm until Teddy Roosevelt was police comissioner and ordered some little Colt .32's in the 1890's.

The Texas Rangers furnished their own guns, usually Colt revolvers and Winchester rifles, once Winchester was on the scene.

The future RCMP was initially issued Adams .450's from military stores. Some weren't even in serviceable condition until armorers had worked on them.

No idea when the first S&W saw LE use, but Wyatt Earp supposedly owned a .44 American. Can't say when he used it, if ever, as he also carried Colts.

I read that Indian Tribal Police often got nickled Remington 1875 .44's.
 
As far as actual Department purchased/marked the one referenced here from a member of the Forum is one of the earliest I have heard of.

"1st model Schofields known and it was also a San Francisco marked "Police" gun from the SF Sand Lot Anti-Chinese riots of 1877,"
 
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