This week we are taking time to honor police officers during 2022 National Police Week. Sunday, May 15th through Saturday, May 21st, the nation is honoring the “boys in blue”. Police Officers are near and dear to Pyramid’s heart, with President Terry Burnworth being the son of a retired Indiana State Trooper.
National Police Week occurs every May. It began in 1962 when President Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. With a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Many organizations collaborate during this week to honor all of America’s law enforcement community. What is the history of the police force?
Policing in the United States followed the development of policing in England. Originally, it took two forms, both informal and communal, referred to as the “Watch”, or private-for-profit policing. The watch system was composed of community volunteers who would watch and warn of impending danger. Boston created the night watch in 1636, New York in 1658, and Philadelphia in 1700. Being human, and needing sleep, the night watch was not particularly effective. Philadelphia created the first day-watch in 1833 and New York followed in 1844.
The watch system grew by adding a system of constables and official law enforcement officers, usually paid by the fee system for warrants they served. The constables had additional functions such as serving as land surveyors and verifying the accuracy of weights and measures. In many cities, they were given the responsibility of supervising the activities of the night watch. The informal policing continued well after the American Revolution.
In the 1830s, the idea of a centralized municipal police department began. Boston established the first American police force in 1838, New York followed in 1845, Chicago in 1851, New Orleans and Cincinnati in 1853, and Philadelphia in 1855. By the 1880s, all major U.S. cities had municipal police forces in place. They all shared similar characteristics: (1) they were publicly supported and bureaucratic in form; (2) police officers were full-time employees, not community volunteers (3) departments had permanent and fixed rules and procedures, and employment as a police officer was continuous; (4) police departments were accountable to a central governmental authority.
Through the years, the responsibilities of the police force grew as the world faced wars, riots, and increased violence. By the late 19th century, union organizing, and labor unrest was widespread in the U.S. and with all the strikes and riots, police started taking two forms, the forced dispersal of demonstrating workers, usually through extreme violence, and to prevent the organization of workers in the first place, making “public order” arrests. As a result, three issues faced the American police departments: (1) should police be uniformed; (2) should they carry firearms; and (3) how much force could they use to carry out their duties. Some officers were opposed to uniforms because they did not want to be signaled out in public and possibly be the targets of mob violence. Many officers armed themselves before it became department policy. The public favored restrictions on the use of force since they were primarily engaged in enforcing public order laws.
Over the years, different levels and departments of the police force were established and technology constantly changed and improved the way officers could perform their duties and investigate crimes. In 1916, the first crime laboratory opened. By 1921, the use of lie detectors was being used. Fast forward to the present where one’s genealogy can be used to solve crimes. The police department has gone from only being able to communicate within its own community to be able to talk with other departments and search the records of criminals across the world.
Every day, when a police officer puts their uniform on, he/she does not know if they will still be alive at the end of their shift. Every day, they risk their lives to protect us and to try and make this world a little safer. All of us at Pyramid respect the “boys in blue” every day and it is our greatest honor to serve the public safety community. This week, we want to take the time and honor all those that have given their lives for us, honor those that are retired after spending their life to protect us, and show our gratitude and respect for those that put on that uniform every day for us!
Respect, Honor, Remember
North Region Communication Center 