Because of its prominent role in the days following the Boston Marathon terrorist attacks, Watertown, Massachusetts, a town located very close to Boston, is now known all over the world. It was during a gunfight on April 19th of this year that the police force of Watertown worked with a plethora of law enforcement groups to capture one of the suspects in the Marathon bombing. The other suspect was killed during the long encounter.
One of the main collections in the State Library is comprised of materials about the Commonwealth’s communities. Because the Watertown police force is so much in the news, I hoped to find something about this department in our stacks. I found a gem! Published in 1924 it is entitled Rules and Regulations for the Government of the Police Department of the Town of Watertown, approved by the Board of Selectmen of the Town. The volume covers the expectations of the police and outlines the benefits the officers serving received. Page two, though written 90-years ago and of course “dated” in some respects, rings true to what we know of the department today.
Visit the State Library to view this entire document, or to read about our collections of city, town, and county resources. The State Library is located in Room 341 of the State House and is open to the public Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Pamela W. Schofield
Legislative Reference Librarian
State Library of Massachusetts
