Police Department history

Starting in the early 1800's the Spanish entered Nisenan land.

Arrival of the Settlers Throughout the 1830's and 40's, soon after John Sutter had established his outpost on land that would become Sacramento, many other whites established ranches in the Roseville area.

Modeled after England’s Metropolitan Police Act, the Sydney Police Act of 1833 led to the establishment of urban police forces.

The city of Houston was founded on a dream in 1836 by two brothers who saw the potential of a city to be a center of commerce and the capital of the new Republic of Texas.

In 1837 the city began making accommodations to bring law and order to the rough-and-tumble frontier town with the hiring of the first constables.

The first publicly funded, organized police force with officers on duty full-time was created in Boston in 1838.

Weakened by disease and continually being harassed and driven off traditional hunting and gathering areas by ranchers and farmers, the Nisenan culture could not withstand the vast influx of whites into the gold fields in 1849.

However, trouble was brewing as the Civil War approached in 1861 and the secession of the State of Texas from the Union.

Houston also maintained their office of City Marshal and by 1868 Houston had two marshals as a result of the impasse.

Three months later, Tom Berry tore down his old building he built in 1870 and began construction of a fine, large billiard hall and saloon on its site.

In 1873 the police force consisted of the City Marshal and twelve officers.

McRae had been a farmer in Roseville since 1876.

Blair moved to Roseville in 1879 and engaged in various business activities which included operating a saloon for a time.

Hammill, a native of Indiana, came to Roseville in 1880 where he worked at J.M. Fitzgerald’s blacksmith shop on Pacific Street.

Doctor Niles announced his intention in 1882 of constructing a building which reportedly was to be used as a drug store.

Jesse Blair, pioneer businessman of Roseville, was instrumental in the establishment of three new businesses in 1883.

By 1886 the department had doubled in size and stood at 22 officers.

The year 1887 saw the reopening of Morgan’s skating rink on Atlantic Street, a short distance below Tom Phillips’ saloon and livery stable.