not "invented", but when they started being cops. did the police force start in the 1800s or sumthin? n did they just ride horses n run around chasing people?
2007-02-07 12:47:58 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
The first American colonies had Sheriffs who were paid fees for each arrest made. They stayed in offices and did not patrol.
Boston 1631 had a night watch
Boston 1634 Constable
New York 1658 eight paid watchmen replaced the Dutch citizen volunteers when the British took over Nieuw Amsterdam. They new watchmen were considered worthless thieves.
American Revolution occured...
The first organized American police department was 1838 in Boston. 8 police, daytime only. Night watch started 1851.
2007-02-07 13:01:19 · answer #1 · answered by cop350zx 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sonny,
There were "cops" that came over on the Mayflower.
They called them "Sheriff's" back in the cowboy days, but the early Native Americans had their own forms of policing, and probably cave man did too, if they lived here...
Grandpa, a Vietnem era Vet, and Grandma say: it's time to stop the war and quit bringing young Americans home in body bags.
.
2007-02-07 12:51:20 · answer #2 · answered by Brotherhood 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Professional police forces as we know them today are largely a creation of the 19th century. Peace officers of various types, however, have been around much, much longer than that. I know that one of my ancestors was a constable in Massachusetts in the mid 1600's, for example.
2007-02-07 12:56:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Every government of any size throughout history has always had some form of law enforcement. With out law enforcement, the government is a debating society.
2007-02-07 13:40:32 · answer #4 · answered by STEVEN F 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Private police forces came first. The Pinkerton men come to mind.
The French and the Russians did have secret police...but thats not exactly what you mean i take it. But Google "Gendarme" for giggles anyway. Its interesting stuff.
2007-02-07 12:53:37 · answer #5 · answered by Telemachus R 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
mid-1800's in NY City. No horses.
2007-02-07 12:50:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Probably about the same time the donut was invented.
2007-02-07 13:23:50 · answer #7 · answered by zhadowlord 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
they had cops in england before we found america and we just took the custom
2007-02-07 12:50:13 · answer #8 · answered by jstahl19 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋