<Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Website </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Boston Police Website </Td> </Tr> <P> The Boston Police Department (BPD), dating back to 1838, holds the primary responsibility for law enforcement and investigation within the American city of Boston, Massachusetts . It is the first in the nation . The BPD is also the 20th largest law enforcement agency in the country and the 3rd largest in New England behind the Massachusetts State Police (2,300 officers) and the Massachusetts Department of Correction (4,000 officers). </P> <P> Before the existence of a formal police department, the first night watch was established in Boston in 1635 . In 1703, pay in the sum of 35 shillings a month was set for members of the night watch . In 1796, the watch was reorganized, and the watchmen carried a badge of office, a rattle, and a six - foot pole, which was painted blue and white with a hook on one end and a bill on the other . The hook was used to grab fleeing criminals, and the rounded "bill" was used as a weapon . The rattle was a noise - making device used for calling for assistance . </P>

Where was the first formal police department created in the united states in 1838