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In 1794
the first organized policing group was formed to protect people from "Garden
Theft." This group of police officers, or watchman worked at night and guarded
the businesses and people's gardens This was known as the Bedford Association.
New Bedford was growing. The Whaling Industry was making New Bedford
a prosperous area, with businesses growing. With the growth in the economy came
the need for more protection. It was during this time, 1824, that the "Night
Watch" was established to combat a steady growth of robberies which usually
occurred after the business owners had locked up for the night. These culprits
were referred to as the "midnight robbers". |
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The village of New
Bedford was "officially" incorporated in 1847. The city was still in the "Night
Watch" system, with an occasional visit from the constable from "Old
Dartmouth". Due to growth of the city the needs of better security and order
also became more demanding.
The Night Watch was headquartered on
Second Street near the Customs House. The village of New Bedford needed a more
organized policing system and the "Night Watch" became constables, and led by
Henry Hathaway, and patrolled New Bedford at night. This continued until 1876
when the New Bedford Police Department was officially formed. Henry Hathaway,
who headed the "Night Watch" became the first Chief of Police. The department
consisted of 26 regular police officers and 83 part time (special) patrolmen. |
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The first major
renovations to the police headquarters, which was located on Second St. and
Spring St, started in 1915 and then the station was renovated again between
1920 being completed in 1922. |
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This "new building" served as the base of
operations until December 31st, 1998. |
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January 1, 1999 the
New Bedford Police headquarters was relocated to temporary facility at 871
Rockdale Ave., west end of the city, a former grocery store, Fernandes
Supermarket, later Maxi Drugs.
Authored by: Henry V. Jackson,
Sr. |
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