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A Brief History of The B.P.D.

The Move

In the fall of 1997, the Boston Police Department began a historic move from its former headquarters located at 154 Berkeley Street to its new headquarters located at the corner of Ruggles and Tremont streets in Lower Roxbury. The move marked both a new beginning and the closing of a significant chapter in the history of the Boston Police Department.

The Oldest Police Department

As the oldest police department in the country, the Boston Police Department (BPD) has a rich history and a well-established presence in the Boston community. The initiation of a formal department began in 1838, when the General Court passed a bill allowing the city of Boston to appoint police officers. The department was structured after the model developed by Sir Robert Peele for the London Police force.

The Boston Police Department was the first paid, professional public safety department in the country. First headquartered at City Hall on School Street, the department moved to 37 Pemberton Square, where it remained until construction began on 154 Berkeley Street headquarters in 1925. These new headquarters served the department well for many years, until 1997, when the department moved into its new state-of-the-art facility at One Schroeder Plaza.

Operations

The BPD has undergone many operational changes throughout the years as well. When first initiated by the city Council in 1824, the department, under the supervision of the city Marshall, was charged with "the care of the streets, the care of the common sewers, and the care of the vaults, and whatever else affects the health, security, and comfort of the city."

The first police force consisted of 260 officers and a chief. Each division had a captain and two lieutenants; sergeants were not appointed until 1857. In these early days, an officer on duty carried a six-foot pole, painted blue and white to protect himself, and a "police rattle" to call for assistance. Police communicated via a telegraph system that linked the central office and area police stations. In 1878, the first department telephones were installed on a trial basis.

Response

Over the years, the police department has responded to a wide range of public safety issues, from "night walkers" to armed robberies and homicides, and to public crises such as the Great Fire, the St. Valentine's Day blizzard, and the Coconut Grove fire. In responding to these public safety issues and protecting the public, the department has learned much, growing and evolving into one of the finest police departments in the country.

Today's department focuses on ensuring the safety and well-being of the city's residents, combining the best neighborhood policing methods from the past with the latest state-of-the-art technologies to effectively protect and serve the public.

Headquarters Today

The new headquarters - equipped with perhaps the most advanced ID imaging and ballistics identification technology in the country, a DNA laboratory (one of only 18 departments in the country with in-house DNA testing capacity), enhanced 9-1-1, and a computer-aided Dispatch system linked to Mobile Date Terminals - will serve the department and the public well into the next century.

Chronology

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1635: First night watch established.

1788: The word "police" appeared for the fist time, designating a specific office, "Inspector of Police".

1822: The Town of Boston became the City of Boston. Increases in the population and in the number of businesses operating created increased demand for police patrol.

1838: Law passed permitting day patrol. City had a Day Police and a Night Watch, which by all accounts operated completely independently of one another.

1852: The metal badges were issued - a six point star made of brass.

1854: Boston Police Department established, structured after the model developed by Sir Robert Peele for the London police force.

1858: Telegraph system completed, linking central office and police stations.

1861: White cotton gloves worn by the officers for the first time. Thereafter, "full uniform" included the wearing of such gloves.

1870: 180 "night walkers" were arrested; most were placed on probation and sent home.

1872: The Great Boston Fire of November 9 and 10 which destroyed 776 buildings. The fire was discovered by a patrolman who was chasing boys on Lincoln Street.

1873: First mounted patrol established.

1883: Department headquarters moved from City Hall to 37 Pemberton Square.

1889: Statute passed providing for right-of-way for patrol wagons and ambulances.

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 area's back fences.

1919: Boston Police Department Strike - 1,117 policemen went on strike. The 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; salaries were increased, more frequent days off, and uniforms were furnished at department expense.

1925: New Department Headquarters built at 154 Berkeley Street.

1940: St. Valentine's Day blizzard immobilized the city.

1942: Coconut Grove fire, resulting in the death of 490 people and injury to 166.

1950: Famous Brink's robbery occurred in the Brink's Garage on Commercial Street.

1972: Improved radio communication system placed in service, including "911".

1974: Court ordered busing began, requiring the deployment of large forces throughout the city.

1978: The Great Blizzard of 1978 hit, immobilizing the city for several days.

1995: Mobile date terminals become operational, allowing for prioritization of emergency calls.

1997: Boston Police Department moves into its current state-of-the-art Headquarters facility at One Schroeder Plaza.

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