
Departmental History
The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis was established in 1808, five years after St. Louis became part of the U.S. The department was created with only four officers, who received no pay. Able-bodied men age 18 and older were required to patrol for four months of the year. This was the only police system for the next 10 years. Refusal to serve on patrol carried a fine of $1.