HISTORICAL NOTE.

The origin of the police department of Boston may be traced back to chapter LXV. of the Province Laws, passed in the year 1699, entitled an act "for keeping of watches in towns," in which it was "provided that in cases where no military watch was established justices of the peace acting with selectmen of the town, or in case the town had no justice of the peace, the selectmen alone should have authority to appoint and regulate the watch and preserve a 'ward' also on the Lord's day and week days if necessary."

In 1761-62 the town of Boston petitioned the general court for authority to appoint its own watch, and an act was passed giving the selectmen the right to choose a number of the inhabitants, not exceeding thirty, to serve as watchmen. This act was re-enacted in 1801, and remained in force until Boston became a city in 1822. The charter then provided that the administration of the police should be vested in the board of aldermen. In 1838 a special law was passed giving the mayor power to appoint police officers, subject to the approval of the aldermen.

The "Watch" and "Police" departments remained separate until 1853, when an act was passed authorizing the city council to unite the two departments, which was done by an order passed April 19, 1854, and the new police department came into existence May 26 of the latter year. The appointment of police officers continued to be vested in the mayor and aldermen until 1878. The tenure of office was for one year only until 1863, when it was made permanent.

In 1878 an act was passed establishing a board of police commissioners, three in number, appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council, and the administration of the police was vested in that board. The department was then reorganized.

In 1885 an act was passed establishing a board of police, three in number, appointed by the governor and confirmed by the executive council.

By chapter 291, Acts of 1906, the administration of the police department was placed in the hands of a single police commissioner to be appointed by the governor, with the advice and consent of the council, for a term of five years. Under this act the police commissioner has "authority to appoint, establish and organize the police of said city and to make all rules and regulations for its efficiency." The same act provided for the appointment of a licensing board of three members, to which was assigned the duty of issuing certain licenses previously under the control of the board of police, viz.: for the sale of intoxicating liquors, for innholders, common victuallers, picnic groves, skating rinks, intelligence offices, billiard tables and bowling alleys.

In 1853 the harbor police force was established, and provided with a sailboat. In 1875 a steamboat was provided, and in 1884 a steam launch was added to the department. In 1896 and 1897 new steamboats were built for the department.

By an act passed in 1887 provision was made for a force of reserve police officers, and all men were required to serve for at least six months on that force before becoming eligible for appointment on the regular force.

The House of Detention for Women, the system of police matrons at station houses and the police signal service were also established by statute in 1887.

The first mounted policeman went on duty in 1873; the first automobile was put in service in 1903, and the first motor patrol wagon in 1912.

The chief executive officer of the department was first entitled "City Marshall"; in 1852 the title was changed to "Chief of Police," and in 1878 to "Superintendent of Police." When the watch and police departments were united in 1854 the force consisted of captains, lieutenants, detectives, and day and night patrol, and