In 1873, the Council for New Westminster made a decision to hire a citizen who would be on the payroll of the City as their own police constable. That decision was made in March of 1873. The person they hired was a former Royal Engineer Sergeant by the name of Jonathan Morey. Mr. Morey was hired by the Council for New Westminster on March 10, 1873. Constable Morey was responsible for policing the City during the day to keep the citizens safe. The hiring of Mr. Morey was the first documented record located indicating a full time police constable who patrolled New Westminster and was paid by the City. Before Mr. Morey’s hiring, members of the community were hired on a short term basis as magistrates to solve law issues.

There is a very important historical link between the New Westminster Police Service and The Royal Westminster Regiment. The New Westminster Police Service’s lineage goes back to a former Royal Engineer who stayed behind when they disbanded Colonel Moody’s contingent. He became our first police member. He also served as a member of the Volunteer Rifles, one of the early antecedents of The Royal Westminster Regiment. To this day, many present and former members of the New Westminster Police Service are former and active members of The Royal Westminster Regiment and it’s affiliated Army Cadet Corps.

The lineage of policing history in New Westminster goes back further than 1873 with the presence of the BC Provincial Police, who were stationed here in the City for a few years before our force officially started.

Since 1873, policing has changed from a one constable town to an active and vibrant City with a police force of over one hundred members. Since the day Mr. Morey started his job, over three hundred men and women have served or are presently serving the citizens of New Westminster. This does not include the many civilian staff, Reserve Constables and volunteers who have dedicated their time to New Westminster.

Many events have occurred in the City that effected the police force. Events such as the BC Penitentiary opening in 1878, the Great Fire of 1898, the famous Bank of Montreal theft in 1911, installation of two way radios in 1935, a Public Inquiry on policing before Judge Howay in 1942, even the installation of lap top computers in patrol cars in 1997, have all changed the way policing is conducted in the City. Technology and the law have changed drastically since the 1800’s. When a member was hired in the early years they were issued a gun, cuffs, badge and billy and told where the boundaries were and where the jail was. No formal training was offered. Today, police members go through an extensive application process system of testing, interviews and background checks to over two years of training at a recognized institution. This is not to mention the formal post high school education applicants are required to have before even applying.

Does this modern process mean the police officer today is different from the member who walked the beat downtown in 1923? Probably not. Personality, attitude, dedication and service to the citizens are what makes the person a police officer.

The present members and staff of the New Westminster Police Service are providing a professional level of service today with an emphasis on community involvement which has helped build this organization over it’s 125 year history.

Ted Usher