Fargo Police Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS 3098

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This material was pulled from Accession 2016-001irs to create its own collection (The rest of that collection was curated into the Fargo Police Photograph Collection). It is a collection of papers, a scrapbook, artifacts, and photographs. Many of the news clippings that were originally included in this collection were photocopied on to acid free paper and then the newspaper was discarded.

Dates

Majority of material found within 1930s-1980s

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection is held by the Institute.

Biography

In the early years of Fargo’s history, law enforcement was handled by the U.S. Army based at Fort Abercrombie. Shortly after the railroad crossed the Red River in 1872, people started to settle along the west side of the river, and along with the people came crime. At the first meeting of the Cass County Commission, on October 27, 1873, John E. Haggart was named the first Sheriff of Cass County. On January 5, 1875, Fargo was incorporated as a city, and John Haggart was elected as Town Marshall of Fargo. This was the beginning of the Fargo Police Department. A simple wood plank jail was built in the 300 block of 1st Avenue S., and the city purchased a set of ball and chains for prisoners for $8.

In 1881, the name of the head of the department was changed from Marshall to Chief of Police. At the time the department consisted of ten men. Early revenue was derived from the licensing of liquor and gambling establishments. In 1882, the first uniforms were issued. The police department was housed in the City Hall located on the corner of N.P. Avenue and Roberts Street. The first City Hall built in 1882, was destroyed in the Great Fargo Fire of 1893. After the fire the police headquarters was located at 625 N. P. Avenue, until 1905 when a new City Hall was constructed on the same location as the previous facility. This building would serve as police headquarters for the next 55 years.

In December 1898, Martin Flanigan was appointed the first detective. In 1910 a car was hired to enforce speed laws, and in 1915, the first department owned squad car was purchased. The first policewoman was hired in 1913. In 1935 a radio system was installed, and in 1947 a two-way radio system replaced the much-limited previous system.

As a result of urban renewal, a new Fargo City Hall complex was constructed at 200 3rd Street N., and the department moved to this facility in 1960. The police headquarters remained at this location until it ran out of space. The department moved to 222 4th Street N. in 1994, where it remains today. As of 2016, the Fargo Police Department has a staff level of 165 sworn officers, and 20 non-sworn personnel.

Extent

.25 Linear Feet (Contains papers, photographs, artifacts, and news clippings relating to the Fargo, North Dakota Police Department.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

A Collection of papers on the early history of the police, newspaper clippings, photographs, and a scrapbook relating to the Fargo, North Dakota Police Department.