New Orleans (La.). City Guard

The 1805 city charter provided that the "Mayor shall superintend the police of the said city, and make regulations for the watchmen and city guard." This Guard was organized by ordinance in 1805, and was initially composed of a captain, lieutenant, sergeant, 3 corporals, and 32 gendarmes. Approximately 1/2 of the force served as a mounted police until later in the year when a Council resolution did away with the mounted unit. Subsequent legislation increased the size of the Guard, directed it to operate in various sections of the city, and specified duties for its members. These duties included arresting slaves out at night without permission; ringing the church bells on the hour and when fires were discovered; making regular rounds, during which they were to enforce the general police regulations; and standing watch at theatre performances and other "spectacles."

An 1817 ordinance required Guard members to enter into a security bond with a solvent person to ensure their good conduct and punctuality. It also divided the city into three districts with a guardhouse in each. That legislation further specified duties of the force with respect to the arrest of those disturbing the peace, vagrants, soldiers, sailors, slaves breaking curfew, and runaways. The Guard also saw to the closure of coffeehouses, etc. at the stated hours, inspected the city's lamps, and assisted Guard units in other districts when disturbances broke out. During the day a detachment of men at each Guardhouse was at the disposal of the Mayor and Recorder, and was to assist the Commissaries of Police and any citizen in need of aid.

Later legislation provided for: the lamplighters to function as members of the Guard when not lighting lamps (1821); the reestablishment of a small mounted force (1833); and the formation of a three-member committee to examine every officer on the force and to dismiss those who did not understand and speak both English and French (1835). In 1836, just prior to passage of the city's second charter, a new ordinance organized a City Watch to replace the Guard. The provisions of this law were in effect for only a brief period, if indeed they were implemented at all.

From the description of Reports of the captain of the Guard, 1826-1836. (New Orleans Public Library). WorldCat record id: 19651157