Easthampton Police Department

Policing in Easthampton, Massachusetts, began with constables in 1856 who were paid $3.08 a year, according to the department's own history. By 1869, anyone arrested spent the night in a cell in the town hall basement with one cup of water, locked in until morning, and the town hired its first police officer in 1871. In 1914 a red light system let the central office summon help: lamps on Cottage, Union, Main, Pleasant and Parsons streets lit up, and the officer on duty opened a call box to take the message. A year later the town posted an officer to direct traffic at Mount Tom Junction, then a busy switching station for trolley cars. The department now serves the City of Easthampton, which Census Bureau Vintage 2025 numbers put at 15,851 residents for 2025, and it describes its mission as working with residents to solve problems and keep the city safe, with fairness, impartiality, openness and consistency as the standard. An honor guard of eight sworn officers acts as its ceremonial unit, and every three years an awards ceremony honors officers and civilians for brave acts and notable service to the department and the city.