PAX Centurion - September / October 2013

Page 30 • PAX CENTURION • September/October 2013 617-989-BPPA (2772) 100 th anniversary of the Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit – 1853-2013 By P.O. Robert E. Anthony, Chronologist, Boston Police Department T he Nation’s First Harbor Patrol was established in Boston and became a unit that was the envy of all Departments. Many Police Departments in the United States contacted Boston to copy their techniques for their own Harbor Patrols. Division Eight (8) was established and covered the harbor and islands after Marshal Francis Tukey had made a suggestion that the need for a water patrol was required to protect the anchored ships, and wharves from depredations. It served during such an attack in 1852-53, involving the use of chloroform on the ships’ crew, which helped to convince the City Council to act. On July 23, 1853, ten (10) men and a Captain were commissioned as harbor police, the first in the United States. The officers showed their worth during their first week on the job by capturing a ring of river pirates. They went on to prove their effectiveness, rescuing persons from drowning, retrieving lost boats and the grim task of recovering bodies from the harbor, also they helped to explain harbor regulations to incoming vessels. Some of the new regulations were established by our own Harbor Unit and are still in use today. They became a special favorite of the merchant community. The Boston Harbor Police were easily accepted into the regular’s organization. Today’s Boston Harbor Patrol Unit is far different that it was year’s back. They have the best equipment and training in the United States. The Dive Team is responsible for recovering evidence to be used in the prosecution of major crimes. Our Recovery Team has saved many a person from capsized boats, and standings out in the harbor. With two (2) interceptor boats and a fleet of eight (8) more ships, today’s Harbor Patrol Harbormaster is Sgt. Joseph Cheevers, All officers assigned to the Harbor Patrol areAssisting Harbor Masters. The Boston Police Harbor Patrol Unit along with Mayor Thomas Menino, Police Commissioner Edward F. Davis and Command Staff hosted a 160 th Anniversary Celebration on September 5, 2013 at the Harbor Patrol Docks located at the OldArmy Base in South Boston. Memorial Signs were unveiled during a dedication ceremony. Reference to this information was: Establishment of harbor division in City Records, XXXI, July 25, 1853 Tukey suggestion inAnnual Police Report (1851) P.14 Pirates inAnnual Police Report (1854), Page 7, and ibid. (1871) Page 69; routine work ibid, (1861) page 7-8. Patrolman Joseph M. Mullen Boston Police Harbor Patrol Killed in the Line of Duty December 18, 1972