The Saint John Police Museum Inc. is a volunteer-driven, non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the heritage of the Saint John Police Force. Established in 1996, the museum is managed by retired police officers, former force members, civilian members, and other volunteers connected to the force. The museum is located at 56 Prince William Street in Saint John.
The museum showcases the rich history of the Saint John Police Force, and features an extensive collection of historic uniforms, badges, vehicles, and a wide array of photographs.
The Saint John Police Force, the largest municipal police service in New Brunswick, has been faithfully serving the community since 1849. It stands as one of the oldest police forces in North America.
Some history of the Saint John Police Force. The force had been established in 1849, at a time rather acrimonious conflict between Catholics and Protestants. Originally overseen by the police magistrate, the Saint John Police Department was transferred in 1856 to the control of a chief of police appointed by the Governor-in-Council, not locally. At that time, the Common Council controlled the department’s size and wages, but the executive council retained the authority to appoint the chief. This arrangement persisted until March 20, 1913, when the Common Council was granted the power to both appoint the chief and manage the size and wages of the department. Their rationale was, “The body that pays should have the right to appoint, and that the Legislature should not refuse Saint John a right enjoyed by every other city and municipality in the province.”
Chief John R. Marshall had served as chief since 1862 and his jurisdiction changed in May 1889 when the cities of Saint John and Portland were united. The city was then divided for policing purposes in two districts, with an inspector assigned to each. The Northern Division consisted of had been Portland, and was placed under the supervision of Captain Richard Rawlings, the community’s former chief of Police.
The old city of Saint John, East and West, formed the South Division, the responsibility of Sergeant John Weatherhead. Both inspectors had executive control over the men in their districts and were responsible to the chief of police for the enforcement of all bylaws and city ordinances. The Portland police station continued to be used as a lockup, from which prisoners were transferred to the central station each morning for trial. The latter building had been partiality destroyed by the fire of 1877, by the following year a new station was constructed.
Members of the Portland Police Force were absorbed into the city’s department, which now totals forty-five men. Overseeing policing affairs was the responsibility of the Board of Public Safety, who in turn reported to Common Council.
Chief John R. Marshall, who had served since 1862, retired on May 23, 1890, at over seventy years old. His successor, William Walker Clark, brought experience in managing large teams from his previous role as mayor’s clerk. Clark, who had visited Boston to observe and learn from their police operations, aimed to implement similar strategies in Saint John.
Upon his appointment, Chief Clark swiftly established his leadership goals. On his first day, he organized a roll call where he personally greeted each officer, facilitated introductions between inspectors and officers, and addressed the force about their significant responsibilities, emphasizing their role as “servants of the public, not of a class or faction.” He distributed a manual he had prepared, outlining their duties, and stressed the importance of discipline and professional appearance. He instituted regular drills, mandated that officers keep daily logs of significant activities, and insisted on adherence to uniform standards.
Chief Clark also expressed regret over the absence of a pension scheme for the force and the excessive length of shifts. He repeatedly advocated for expanding the force, citing the city’s need for more manpower to manage its 10 square miles and fifty miles of streets during the 1890s.
Shortly after taking office, Clark issued “General Orders” that encapsulated his earlier stated principles. These orders required that both divisions of the force parade at their stations before duty. Sergeants on night shifts were tasked with preparing reports for the next shift, and officers who made arrests between 7 pm and 3 am were allowed to go home immediately to ensure they were rested for court the next day.
By the middle of 1890 the department consisted of a total of forty-six men including the chief. Each Division was divided into a number of beats. A set of lockups was distributed throughout the city, where the men on the beat could bring those whom were arrested, before their before their transferral to the central police station on king Street East.
The physical condition of the lockups was not always satisfactory. Nonetheless, this arrangement was necessary for a non-motorized force. The introduction of the streetcar to Saint John during the latter part of the 19th century, did however, permit the police to cover more areas of the city. The only other means for the men to get around was on foot with the exception of “slovens” used to cart of numerous drunks picked up during the shirt.
In early January 1915, Chief Clark resigned, paving the way for David Simpson of Edmonton, Alberta, to succeed him, marking the close of a notable era in the history of Saint John’s policing.
In 1965, the Saint John Police Department acquired a Volkswagen Beetle that served as either a Traffic or Supervisors vehicle on a daily basis. By April 1998, in preparation for their 150th anniversary in April 1999, the Saint John Police Force initiated plans to commemorate this milestone. One significant project was the restoration of Car 117, a vehicle with a unique place in the department’s history. A suitable Beetle for restoration was located in Belfast, Maine, USA, and was transported back to Saint John where local businesses assisted in the restoration process. After an eight-month effort, the fully restored Car 117 was unveiled at the 150th Anniversary Ceremony held at City Hall.
In May 1999, Car 117 was featured at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, D.C., where it earned second place in the Police Vehicle Show.
Since its restoration, Car 117 has participated in numerous shows, parades, and community events. It is also regularly displayed in front of the Saint John Police Museum at 56 Prince William Street in uptown Saint John, particularly on days when cruise ships are in port.
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Source: Saint John Police Museum
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Interesting article but I was hoping it was about the Saint John police museum as the headline suggested. I was picturing something along the lines of London’s Black Museum. Anyway it was only a slight discrepancy, you didn’t need to jail the webmaster.
Enjoyed the article – thanks!