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Houston Texas Central Railroad and east-west Texas and Pacific Railroad lines in Dallas, paving the way for it
to become a regional center of transportation, banking, education and more.
From Settlement to City
Having largely avoided the destruction and dislocations of war and, now more accessible by rail lines, Dallas
once again offered hope and opportunity to many. In fact, the population of Dallas increased from 3,000 to
7,000, in a single year, bringing new and complex challenges to a city still policed by a single Marshal.
From the mid-1870s until 1881, a handful of different men served as city marshals while the Dallas City
Council wrestled with charter revisions, including the scope and size of its policing should be. Still serving as
lone city marshals during those years were F. Nichols, George Campbell, June Peak, Capt. W.F. Morton and J.C.
Arnold, each elected to their duties.
First Dallas Police Department
The very roots of todays Dallas Police Department were ultimately planted in 1881, with the public election of
its first Chief of Police, James Carter Arnold, previously its city marshal. The new city charter provided for both
a chief and police manpower and so, with 15 uniformed officers, Dallas had its first Police Department.
Issued blue wool uniforms and badges, the police force patrolled the 2.5 miles of town on foot, seven days a
week on twelve-hour shifts, using lanterns for night time patrols. Chief Arnold kept his officers busy and
visible, soon putting them on horseback for more efficiency. By 1889, the population had grown to 35,000,
Arnolds force to 24, and his knowledge of the inadequacies of his manpower, equipment, and facilities clearly
outlined in his annual report to the City Council.
Chief Arnold served Dallas for 17 years before an untimely hunting accident ended his life in February of 1898.
A respected and beloved man, Chief Arnold is still praised today for the leadership and vision with which he
built the Dallas Police Department. Even today, Arnolds principles of personal integrity, service above self and
protecting the publics trust resound throughout the ranks of the Dallas Police Department.
www.dallaspolicemuseum.org