1845
When the High Constable of New York City, Jacob Hays retired from service in 1844, permission was granted by the Governor of the state to the Mayor of the City to create a Police Department. A force of
approximately 800 men under the first Chief of Police, George W. Matsell, began to patrol the City in July of 1845. They wore badges that had an eight-pointed star (representing the first 8 paid members of the old Watch during Dutch
times). The badges had the seal of the City in their center and were made of stamped copper.
1625
The first law-enforcement officer began to patrol the trails and paths of New York City when it was known as New Amsterdam, and was a Dutch settlement and fort in the year 1625. This lawman was known as
a "Schout – fiscal" (sheriff – attorney) and was charged with keeping the peace, settling minor disputes, and warning colonists if fires broke out at night. The first Schout was a man named Johann Lampo.
Next came the Constable Watch which operated until 1845 when it was replaced with the Municipal Police Force. This force began with 900 officers.
1610 - 1664
The Rattle Watch was a group of colonists during the Dutch era who patrolled from sunset until dawn. They carried weapons, lanterns and wooden rattles. The rattles made a very loud, distinctive
sound and were used to warn farmers and colonists of threatening situations. Upon hearing this sound, the colonists would rally to defend themselves or form bucket-brigades to put out fires.
The Rattle Watchmen are believed to have carried lanterns that had green glass inserts. This was to help identify them while they were on patrol at night. When they returned to their Watch House from patrol, they hung their lantern on a hook by the front door to show that the Watchman was present in the Watch House. Today, green lights are still hung outside the entrances of Police Precincts as a symbol that the "Watch" is present and vigilant.
1857-1870
Metropolitan Police This was a white metal shield, adopted by the Metropolitan Police District and used by all the department in the system. This was the only time the city seal didn't appear
on the shield.
1870-1875? or 1870-1872?
Municipal Police These white metal shields with copper numbers proved most unpopular and were recalled in 1875. They were known as the 'acorn' shield.
1872? or 1875-1889
Municipal Police
A white metal design adopted to replace the previous "acorn" badge.
1889-1898
The commonly called Potsey due to it's resembling a folded tin can that the city children would use as a tossing implement in a popular sidewalk game of the same name.
1898-1902
This was the first shield of the Police Department of the City of New York after it's consolidation in 1898.
1902 to today. The shield is made of nickel silver. It is first die-struck in a drop hammer which gives it impression and then is pounded until the desired height of the characters is reached. The perimeter is embossed and the numbers and lugs are hard soldered. The badge is then dipped, cleaned, nickel-plated and polished to a high gloss.
1635
Night watch established.
1788
The word "police" appeared for the fist time, designating a specific office,
"Inspector of Police."
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.
1853
April 30th, 1853 the 1st metal badges were issued – a six point star made of brass. Boston Police Department established, structured after the model developed by Sir Robert
Peele for the London police force.
1854
The 2nd issue badge was issued on Oct. 10, 1854.
NYPD
Boston
Night or Rattle Watch Established
1st issue badges
Baltimore
1851
The 1st metal badges were issued Oct . 20th 1851 – a six point star made of brass.
Rattle Watch established.
San Francisco
Los Angeles
Rattle Watch established.
Rattle Watch established.
1853
Metal badges were issued, the 7 point star.
1869
The 1st metal badges were issued.
1860
The 2nd issue badge was introduced to the new Metropolitan police on May 1, 1860..
1911
The letter S.F. were added to what is still the current badge.
1890
The 2nd issue badges were issued.
1862
The 3rd issue badge was issued June 22nd 1862. The points and outside ring were made of brass.
1890
The 4th issue badge was issued on May 27, 1890.
1976
The 5th issue badge was issued April 4th 1976.
2nd issue badges
3rd issue badges
4th issue badges
5th issue badges
6th issue badges
7th issue badges
1909
The 3rd issue badge was issued.
1913
The 4th issue badge was issued.
1923
The 5th issue badge was issue.
1940
The Series 6 badge was issued and is still the current badge of the LAPD
Agencies
Listed Below
Events listed left to right
Denver
Chicago
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The 2nd issue badges were issued.
The 3rd issue badge was issued.
Philadelphia
1700
Night watch established, primarily to watch for fire early on and as town populations increased also to watch for criminal activity.
May 27, 1845
Metal badges were issued, an oval made of brass.
Jan. 10, 1851
2nd issue badge of the newly consolidated police force.
1861-1874
The 3rd issue badge.
1874-1884
The 4th issue badge.
1884-1888
The 5th issue badge.
1888-1923
The 6th issue badge.
Rattle Watch established.
1837
Constable established.
18
The 1st metal badges were issued.
1870 (Flat Badge)
The 1st metal badges were issued. All 1st issue badges had only three numbers and were nearly flat.
1889 (Shield)
The 2nd issue badge issued but was so unpopular with the officers who wore them that after a couple of months the department abandoned the changeover before it was even completed.
1889
The 3rd issue badge was slightly larger than the 1st issue and had four numbers instead of three and was curved.
Seattle
The 2nd issue badges were issued.
The 3rd issue badge was issued.
Portland
Night Watch
18
The 1st metal badges were issued.
Rattle Watch
1856
The 3rd issue badge was issued Nov. 11, 1856.
1868
The 4th issue badge was issued on April 11, 1868.
1870
The 5th issue badge was issued Oct. 1, 1870.
1879
The 6th issue, the " radiator" style was issued in 1870
1850
San Diego elects first City Marshal On May 16, 1889 the office of City Marshal was replaced with the new Police Department.
1885-1889
1st metal badge issued to officers workig under the City Marshal
1886-1889
2nd issue style badge issued one year after the six point star to new officers. The six points continued to be worn by the officers who had them until 1889.
1890-1930
The 3rd issue badge. Worn by line officers, supervisors wore a different badge.
1917-1917
The 4th issue badge.
1917-1925
The 5th issue badge.
1925-1930
The 6th issue badge.
San Diego
Night watch established.
1st metal badge issued
2nd style badges issued
The 3rd issue badge.
The 4th issue badge.
The 5th issue badge.
The 6th issue badge.
1st metal badge issued
2nd style badges issued
The 3rd issue badge.
The 4th issue badge.
The 5th issue badge.
The 6th issue badge.
1922
The 7th issue style was issued in 1922.
1905-1955
The 4th issue badge was issued
1870's
The 3rd issue (version 2) badge was all nickel and a slightly different center seal.
1930-
The 5th issue badge.
1890-1930
San Diego supervisors badge.
1900-1905-
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