![]() The formation of the Metropolitan Police dissolved all these previous authorities. Yet another force, the 16-member Auxiliary Guard of the City of Washington, was established by Act of Congress in August 1842, purportedly because President John Tyler had been burned in effigy, and had rocks thrown at him on the White House grounds. Within the City of Washington, the first police superintendent was named in 1803, and the city divided into four policing wards, each under a constable, in 1804. Before the formation of the District in 1801, county constables had jurisdiction over the area, along with the comparatively developed police force for the City of Alexandria. The Metropolitan Police replaced previous law enforcement organizations. After the formation of the Metropolitan Police and its governing Board of Commissioners by Act of Congress, signed into law by President Lincoln on August 6, 1861, Lincoln dispatched a member of the board to study the New York City Police Department and its structure. The crowds, crime, and the constant threat of enemy spies, had made the capital into a rowdy city barely under control. Washington had quickly filled with soldiers, government employees, and citizens hoping to cash in on the war. ![]() President Abraham Lincoln took a personal interest in the formation of a regular police force for the U.S. History 19th century Īs the American Civil War raged on, U.S. During this nature of emergency, the MPD is considered a federal law enforcement agency. ![]() This control can be extended at any time beyond 30 days if either the emergency continues or if Congress passes a law ordering it. ![]() During longer periods of time, the President must provide to Congress in writing his or her reasons for continuing control of the MPD. Under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, whenever the President of the United States determines that special conditions of an emergency nature exist which require the use of the Metropolitan Police for Federal purposes, the president may direct the Mayor to provide, and the Mayor shall provide, such services of the Metropolitan Police force for up to 48 hours. However, the MPD ultimately remains the primary agency in the city and has the authority to investigate all crimes in the city regardless of the location it took place. While the MPD is the primary law enforcement agency in the city, it shares its jurisdiction with the Transit Police, responsible for policing the MetroRail system and buses, the United States Park Police which provides law enforcement for the National Mall and all other National Park Service properties, the United States Marshals Service which acts as the city's sheriff, and many other federal agencies.
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