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The history of policing in the Town of Perth traces back to the historic roots of the town’s initial establishment in the 1800’s. In 1816 a military settlement was established in Perth from land obtained from the Algonkians. It appears that Perth was established as part of a strategic defense plan after the War of 1812. The one square mile village was home to approximately 1500 settlers who penned the town’s name after the town of Perth in Scotland.

During this period, policing in Canada originated from the colonial nature of the country. Most towns and cities relied upon the military to patrol their communities as most of the communities were military settlements. Perth was no different. As the 1800’s moved on, the modern concept of policing was created in the City of London England when British Parliament adopted Sir Robert Peel’s principles which set out the terms of deployment for the police force. These principles carried forward into Canada with the demand for independent police forces. This demand increased as the military forces began to subside in the country and the growth of democratic responsible government increased. In certain areas within the country, constables were appointed and given the responsibility to apprehend criminals in an effort to protect the community. Generally, the late 1800’s brought the establishment of the early police forces in Canada; positions for police chiefs and constables were created and initially responsible to the local elected government of the day. In Ontario, the provincial government pushed forward and created Boards of Commissioners to oversee policing functions. These members were largely provincial appointees who sometimes clashed with municipal officials.

In 1851 Perth became a separate municipality within the united counties of Lanark and Renfrew. The municipality had a population of around 1600 people and the first public school was opened. On the 25th of July 1851, the municipality passed Bylaw no. 27; a bylaw appointing certain persons to be constables of the municipality of the Town of Perth. The bylaw indicated that these persons would be “carrying into effect and enforcing provisions contained in Ontario bylaws….. under the authority of certain Acts of the Parliament of Canada”. The bylaw indicated eight names for appointment, William Lee, Patrick Malone, John Byrne, John Stewart, Robert McKerson, John McArmstrong, John Hazelton, and William Ballantyne. The bylaw also outlined the duties of the constables namely that they “shall be to make diligent inquiries and search respecting such things as are forbidden, prohibited and disclosed to be unlawful and report to the council of the town or any Justice of the Peace”.

In 1854, the Town of Perth was incorporated and the population had grown to 3500 people. On the 17th of April, 1854, Bylaw no. 94 passed appointing one chief constable for the Town of Perth and a constable for each of the wards. George Graham was appointed to discharge and perform the duties of Chief Constable. Furthermore, John McMaster was appointed constable to the east ward, George Cassy was appointed constable to the center ward and Joseph Jackman was appointed constable to the west ward. Bylaw no. 94 outlined the duties of the officers, the constables were to “keep the peace and preserve good order within respective lands…said constables shall be under the control and direction and subject to the orders of the Chief Constable and at any time considered necessary for the purpose of preserving the peace and good order in the said town as for protecting the people or the inhabitants thereof”. The duties of the Chief Constable were also outlined. Namely, to ensure the safety of each appointed constable and to make sure that the constables kept the peace within the town, this included “informing all homes of cattle or swine which may be running at large" which was in contravention to local bylaws. The Chief Constable was also responsible to order “the removal of any obstruction that may be on any streets, sidewalks or public thoroughfares within the limits of the town and to prosecute any farmer or farmers so obstructing”. Lastly, the Chief Constable was to “collect any fines that were set out by Town Council” and he was “answerable to Town Council”.

On the 30th of May 1859, Bylaw no. 185 was passed to establish the first police office in the Town of Perth. In 1863, the Perth Town Hall was built and by the 26th of September 1864 Bylaw no. 265 authorized the change of location for the “holding of Police Court” which now would be held in the Perth Town Hall.

By the early 1900’s Perth had a high school, it had its first car, and the duties of the Chief Constable had changed to address the towns’ growth. Bylaw no. 1101 dated the 14th of April 1910 appointed a John Griffith Chief Constable, Sanitary Inspector and Truant Officer to fill the vacancy caused through the resignation of Morley White. Chief Griffith was compensated in the amount of $450 as well being provided with “two suits of suitable clothing” to exercise his duties. As well, the Chief Constable also had the responsibility to “make collection of mail from the said letter boxes at 7 p.m. each night, delivering such collection to the Post Office officials”.

In 1927, Chief Constable Griffith was ready to retire and the council was considering applications for the position of Chief of Police. On the 27th of June 1927 the police committee recommended the appointment Gordon Gilhuly at a salary of $1300 per year. However, it was recommended that the “new Chief of Police be relieved of any work in connection with the municipally controlled wood yard”, yet another interesting duty for the Chief of Police. Nevertheless, three weeks later Bylaw no. 1458, appointed Gordon Gilhuly as the Chief Constable and Sanitary Officer but they also included a new duty, that of the Inspector of Noxious Weeds while removing his duties as a truant officer.

By 1932 the duties of town constables included the enforcement of a provincial legislation, the Liquor Control Act, this continued until 1947 when the duties also referenced the Liquor License Act. In 1951 the population in Perth was approximately 5000. The Chief of Police, Edward Smith continued his duties which were quite similar to those 40 years earlier. The Chief now received an annual salary of $2,670 while two appointed Constables, William Ritchie and Douglas Wiltsie received $2,140 per annum.

The duties of the Towns’ constables and that of the Chief of Police continued along the same lines until the 12th of October 1971 when Town Council rescinded the previous duties of Chief Jack Riddell and hired Thomas Halladay, effective the 18th of October 1971. Town of Perth Bylaw no. 2128 indicated that the Chief of Police was responsible for the operation of the department within the limits of the statutes and regulations of the Province of Ontario and the Dominion of Canada, the enforcement of local bylaws and regulations as enacted by council. For these newly appointed duties Chief Halladay received $10,000 in annual salary.

On the 27th of May 1999, the Perth Police Service moved from their office at the Town Hall which was home for 140 years to their new office at 1881 Rogers Road.