The first colonial settlers that came to America were mostly English.  They brought with them the Peel law enforcement system.  Almost immediately the Americans modified this system because of the differences in the physical and cultural environment of England.

In 1801, the city of Boston established a paid continuous night watch.  The watchman patrolled the city from 10:00 pm until sunrise for .50 an evening.  Also in 1801, the city of Detroit appointed its first group of civilian police officers and in 1804, created a mobile patrol.

In 1844, New York was the first American city to model a police department along the Peel law enforcement principals.  American watchmen were required to walk their rounds slowly and silently.  They were to stand still and listen, as well as call out the hour, weather conditions and maintain the street lamps.  During this time, the department stated the following:

"The police department and the police force, has the power and it is their duty at all times of the day and night to:

Today's police officer swears an oath of office to achieve these same objectives.

What does a retired police officer do with all the time that he has on his hands? He finds that there really is life after police.