History

The modern Brookline Police department can trace its roots back to the appointment of John Kenerick as constable of the village of Muddy River in 1652. When Muddy River became the Town of Brookline in 1705 Peter Boylston became it's first constable. As the town grew and expanded so did its police department. Originally, officers were charged with such duties as `seeing to the proper roping and ringing of swine', fence viewing, and enforcement of liquor laws.

As technology increased, the department moved from foot patrol to mounted patrol to the use of radio- and computer-equipped police cruisers. In addition to law enforcement services, officers provide first aid, animal control services, and public safety information. The entire department was awarded a special commendation by the Board of Selectmen in recognition for it's performance during the `Blizzard of 78'. Many special programs have evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of the town. These include the Auxiliary Police force (established in part to deal with the shortage of manpower caused by WWII) the D.A.R.E. program in the schools the Walk and Talk program, the Citizen's Police Academy, the Domestic Violence Unit and the Youth Diversionary Program.

Today the Brookline Police Department has a sworn force of 147 officers providing 24-hour service to the town. All officers receive extensive in-service training each year, and many hold advanced degrees in criminal justice. Among it's officers the department has experts in computer technology, investigation, finger printing , animal control and evidence handling. The department is well equipped and able to handle major civil unrest as well as a simple shoplifter. The department is looking into the future, planning a new police station and updating and pursuing the latest in computer technologies.

In Memoriam

Two Brookline police officers have given their lives in the performance of their duties.

The first was Officer Joseph McMurray, who was shot and killed on October 17, 1904 while responding to a call for help on Boylston Street. He found a man inside a locked apartment who had just killed his wife. When he forced his way into the apartment, he was shot by the husband. In an ironic twist of fate, the shooter was a man Officer McMurray had saved from drowning just three years earlier.

Officer Joseph P. O'Brien was the second Brookline patrolman to die in the line of duty. He was shot and killed on August 3, 1930 while patrolling in the lower Beacon Street area.

Commemorative plaques placed outside the police station honor both Officer McMurray and Officer O'Brien.

Highlights from the history of the Brookline Police Department (Research done by Detective Kenneth McHugh)

1652
- John Kenerick appointed first constable in Muddy River

1705
- Brookline became separate Town of Brookline

1706
- Peter Boylston appointed first constable of Town of Brookline

1793
- Brookline became part of the county of Norfolk

1847
- first jail was built in the basement of town hall

1870
- John Sanborn appointed first Chief of Police in the Town of Brookline with a force of 8 officers
-first time day AND night watches established
-money appropriated for a new, independent police station

1877
- Alonzo Bowman appointed Chief of Police with a force of 15 officers

1883
- Chief Bowman reorganized the department into 3 divisions, capable of providing 24-hour service in thickly settled parts of Town of Brookline

1894
- use of the Gamewell Police Signal allowed the officer in charge at the station to remain informed about activity in other areas of Town of Brookline

1898
- bicycle patrol established

1899
- Alonzo W. Corey appointed Chief of Police, with a force of 46 officers

1904
- guns and ammunition were supplied by the town to officers
- Officer Joseph McMurray was killed in the line of duty

1905
- Civil Service was introduced to the process of officer selection and promotion

1908
- first Park Officer appointed

1910
- the horse drawn paddy wagon was replaced by a motorized vehicle

1917
- the department has acquired 3 additional cars

1919
- Rutherford appointed Chief of Police in the Town of Brookline
- first woman, Josephine Wilder, appointed as a police officer

1920
- first use of a motorcycle for police work in Brookline

1929
- Brookline linked by Teletype to 22 other metropolitan departments

1930
- Joseph P. O'Brien became the second officer to be killed in the line of duty

1938
- James Tonra was appointed Chief of Police in the Town.

1941
- Auxiliary Police was formed, partly in response to the onset of WWII

1954
- Teletype coverage was extended to include 42 municipalities
- the force consisted of 131 officers

1958
- William Charlton became Chief of Police

1962
- The department moved into the current headquarters at 350 Washington Street

1969
- James Rourke took over as Chief of Police
- first contract between the Town and the Brookline Police Association of the Massachusetts Police Association was signed.
- tactical patrol force instituted

1971
- formal in-service training for all officers instituted

1972
- citizen emergency phone system (911) installed

1978
- Board of Selectmen issued a special commendation for the entire force as a result of their performance during the `Blizzard of 1978

1980
- George R. Simard appointed Chief of Police

1984
- Officer Peter Murphy initiated an investigation which resulted in the breakup of one of the nations largest cocaine distribution networks.

1990
- The D.A.R.E. program was implemented in Brookline schools

1991
- The Walk and Talk program was initiated and met with wide approval.

1992
- Howard A. Brackett became Chief of Police

1995
- Daniel C. O'Leary succeeded as Chief of Police

2002
- New Brookline Public Safety Building is dedicated

Back To Top